Series:   Jeremiah / Lamentations for Beginners
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The Potter's House, Judah'S Broken Covenant, and the Fate of Its Kings

By: Mike Mazzalongo     Posted: July, 2025
In this lesson we see Jeremiah's continued warnings of God's impending judgment on unrepentant Judah and the sad ending of its last rulers.
Sources

Primary Biblical Sources (NASB 1995)

  1. The Potter and the Clay: God's Sovereign Control
    • God as the sovereign potter over nations – Jeremiah 18:1-6
    • The conditional nature of judgment and blessing – Jeremiah 18:7-10
    • Judah's stubborn refusal to repent – Jeremiah 18:12
    • Jeremiah's persecution and plea for justice – Jeremiah 18:18-23
  2. The Broken Covenant and Its Consequences
    • The shattered jar as a symbol of irreversible judgment – Jeremiah 19:1-11
    • The Valley of Hinnom and child sacrifices – Jeremiah 19:4-6
    • Public pronouncement of destruction at the temple – Jeremiah 19:14-15
  3. Jeremiah's Personal Suffering and Persecution
    • Pashhur's imprisonment of Jeremiah – Jeremiah 20:1-6
    • Jeremiah's internal struggle and lament – Jeremiah 20:7-18
    • His calling compared to a burning fire in his bones – Jeremiah 20:9
  4. Judgment Against the Kings of Judah
    • Zedekiah's plea for divine intervention – Jeremiah 21:1-10
    • God's rebuke of Judah's kings for failing to execute justice – Jeremiah 22:3-5
    • The judgment on Shallum (Jehoahaz) – Jeremiah 22:11-12
    • The condemnation of Jehoiakim – Jeremiah 22:13-23
    • The rejection of Coniah (Jehoiachin) and the curse on his line – Jeremiah 22:24-30

Historical and Theological Sources

  1. Merrill, Eugene H., Mark F. Rooker, and Michael A. Grisanti. The World and the Word: An Introduction to the Old Testament. B&H Academic, 2011.
    • Explanation of the political and religious climate of Judah's final kings.
  2. Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, and Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. InterVarsity Press, 2000.
    • Historical and cultural background on pottery in the ancient world, the role of kings in Judah, and child sacrifice at Topheth.
  3. Thompson, J.A. The Book of Jeremiah (The New International Commentary on the Old Testament). Eerdmans, 1980.
    • Detailed exegesis of Jeremiah's prophetic imagery, including the Potter's House, the shattered jar, and the Valley of Hinnom.
  4. Smith, Gary V. Interpreting the Prophetic Books: An Exegetical Handbook. Kregel Academic, 2014.
    • Explanation of prophetic symbols and how they relate to divine judgment and national leadership.
  5. Longman III, Tremper. Jeremiah, Lamentations (The New International Biblical Commentary). Hendrickson, 2008.
    • Insights on Jeremiah's suffering, his role as an intercessor, and his personal lament in chapter 20.
  6. Harrison, R.K. Introduction to the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1979.
  • Overview of Judah's last kings, their political alliances, and the Babylonian threat.

Additional Study Aids and Word Studies

  1. Botterweck, G. Johannes, and Helmer Ringgren, eds. Theological Dictionary of the Old Testament. Eerdmans, 1974.
    1. Word studies on "yatsar" (to form, as a potter shapes clay), "berith" (covenant), and "shama" (listen/obey), as they relate to Jeremiah's messages.
  2. Richards, Lawrence O. The Teacher's Commentary. Cook Communications, 2002.
    1. Practical application of Jeremiah's warnings to modern leadership and parallels between ancient Judah and today's nations.
  3. Wright, Christopher J.H. The Message of Jeremiah (The Bible Speaks Today Series). InterVarsity Press, 2014.
    1. How Jeremiah's message applies to contemporary politics, leadership, and personal faith.
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