The Potter Problem
Isaiah 29:15-24
Isaiah 29:15 Woe to those who deeply hide their plans from the LORD,
And whose deeds are done in a dark place,
And they say, “Who sees us?” or “Who knows us?”
16 You turn things around!
Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay,
That what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”;
Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”?
17 Is it not yet just a little while Before Lebanon will be turned into a fertile field, And the fertile field will be considered as a forest?
18 On that day the deaf will hear words of a book, And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
19 The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the LORD, And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.
20 For the ruthless will come to an end and the scorner will be finished, Indeed all who are intent on doing evil will be cut off;
21 Who cause a person to be indicted by a word, And ensnare him who adjudicates at the gate, And defraud the one in the right with meaningless arguments.
22 Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:
“Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now turn pale;
23 But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst,
They will sanctify My name;
Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob
And will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
24 “Those who err in mind will know the truth,
And those who criticize will accept instruction.
15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” 16 You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”?
The Potter Problem (vv. 15-16)
We have the potter problem when we:
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live by our own plans, but try to be moral as we do them.
We have the potter problem when we:
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live by our own plans, but try to be moral as we do them.
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live by our own plans, and believe God will stay distant.
We have the potter problem when we:
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live by our own plans, but try to be moral as we do them.
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live by our own plans and believe God will stay distant.
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live by our own plans, and modify them based on what others see or think.
15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?” 16 You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
“You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”?
The Potter Problem (vv. 15-16)
Why the Potter Problem is Silly (vv. 17-21)
17 In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest? 18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
19 Once more the humble will rejoice in the LORD; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20 The ruthless will vanish, the mockers will disappear, and all who have an eye for evil will be cut down—21 those who with a word make someone out to be guilty, who ensnare the defender in court and with false testimony deprive the innocent of justice.
The Impact of Being Clay in the Potter's Hand (vv. 22-24)
22 Therefore this is what the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob: “No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale. 23 When they see among them their children, the work of my hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. 24 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.”
The Impact of Being Clay in the Potter's Hand (vv. 22-24)
22 Therefore this is what the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob: “No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale. 23 When they see among them their children, the work of My hands, they will keep my name holy; they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob, and will stand in awe of the God of Israel. 24 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.”
Living as His clay delivers us from shame (v. 22)
22 Therefore this is what the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob: “No longer will Jacob be ashamed; no longer will their faces grow pale.”
Living as His clay delivers us from shame (v. 22)
15 Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think,
“Who sees us? Who will know?”
When I live as His clay I hallow His Name (v. 23)
23 But when he sees his children,
The work of My hands, in his midst,
They will hallow My name,
And hallow the Holy One of Jacob,
And fear the God of Israel.
When I live as His clay I will worship (v. 23)
23 But when he sees his children,
The work of My hands, in his midst,
They will hallow My name,
And hallow the Holy One of Jacob,
And fear the God of Israel.
When I live as His clay I grow in understanding
22 Therefore this is what the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob: 24 Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding; those who complain will accept instruction.”
(vv. 22, 24)
Who do you see as the potter of your life?
When I am His clay in my story:
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Shame subsides
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I hallow His name
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I will worship
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I grow in understanding