God molds and judges nations based on how they respond to the hands of the potter. Throughout history, nations have fallen, and God has restored others. Nations that are disobedient to God eventually find themselves on the scrap heap of history. In God’s mercy, He continually calls nations back to Himself to look up and avoid judgment.
God sent the prophet Jonah to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyria nation, to give a message of repentance. Jonah 3:4 On the day Jonah entered the city, he shouted to the crowds: “Forty days from now, Nineveh will be destroyed!” 5 The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow. [1] The people of Nineveh heeded God’s warning, and the Lord was able to remold them to save them from destruction.
God Gave Israel a Message Through Jeremiah
Israel was God’s chosen nation to tell other nations about His love, but instead of being a beacon of light, they decided to drift away from God. Just as God judged other nations, the Lord now would judge Israel for their sinfulness. The Lord sent Jeremiah to the potter’s house to illustrate how He deals with nations, including Israel. Jeremiah then watched the potter as he crushed down a lump of clay and started over.
Although the Lord is Sovereign, the clay that symbolizes a nation can resist the hands of the potter. God gives us free will, and people can follow God or rebel. Then God spoke to Jeremiah as he observed the potter. Jeremiah 18:7 If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, 8 but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. 9 And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, 10 but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would. [2]
The Fear of God is the Beginning of Wisdom
Proverbs 9:10 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. [3] Fear of God means having a relationship with Him, where we find the necessary wisdom. The Scriptures teach us that God desires us to submit to His will, and in doing so, we acquire wisdom.
Just as a person can repent and turn toward God, a nation can change direction as they humble themselves. When we don’t fear God collectively, rebellion grows in people’s hearts, and the Lord removes His hand of protection. In God’s mercy, He brings judgment as a last resort, allowing people to turn away from their sins and return to Him. While fear of the Lord may stop us from doing the wrong thing, love compels us to do the right thing. Combining reverence and love towards the Lord leads us to obey the Lord’s guidance and look up to Him.
To learn how God molds and judges nations, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/exile
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.