Daily Verse Daily Verse by Faithlife | Isaiah 64:8-9
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64:8 you are our potter The image of God as potter portrays Him as creator and sovereign. See 29:16 and note; and 45:9 and note.
29:16 a potter shall be regarded as the clay Isa 10:15 describes a tool, which is useless without one to wield it, to illustrate God’s sovereignty over all contemporary powers. Here, Yahweh’s sovereignty is illustrated by the image of a potter and clay. Just like the tool has no say in how it is used, the pot has no right to question the design of the potter. The potter and clay image is reused in 45:9; 64:8; and Jer 18:4–6. The theme is also applied in Rom 9:20–22.
45:9 a potsherd among potsherds of earth The potter and clay image projects a powerful view of God’s sovereignty, creativity, and right to do as He wishes with His creation (see 29:16 and note). The image is used for similar effect in 64:8; Jer 18:4–6 and Rom 9:20–22.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Is 64:8). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Ryken, L., Wilhoit, J., Longman, T., Duriez, C., Penney, D., & Reid, D. G. (2000). In Dictionary of biblical imagery (electronic ed., p. 155). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.
29:16 a potter shall be regarded as the clay Isa 10:15 describes a tool, which is useless without one to wield it, to illustrate God’s sovereignty over all contemporary powers. Here, Yahweh’s sovereignty is illustrated by the image of a potter and clay. Just like the tool has no say in how it is used, the pot has no right to question the design of the potter. The potter and clay image is reused in 45:9; 64:8; and Jer 18:4–6. The theme is also applied in Rom 9:20–22.
45:9 a potsherd among potsherds of earth The potter and clay image projects a powerful view of God’s sovereignty, creativity, and right to do as He wishes with His creation (see 29:16 and note). The image is used for similar effect in 64:8; Jer 18:4–6 and Rom 9:20–22.
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Is 64:8). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
Clay
Although clay played a much more central role in ancient Near Eastern life than it does today, it is still familiar enough that Jeremiah’s description of a local craftsman could easily apply to a modern studio artist (Jer 18:3–4 NASB). In addition to the many daily uses of clay vessels, artisans used clay to make molds in which to cast metal objects (1 Kings 7:46; 2 Chron 4:17). Its physical properties-pliable in one form, brittle in another-as well as its practical uses make clay a powerful biblical metaphor.
Beginning as a pliable and impressionable substance (Job 38:14; Ps 40:2), clay provides an excellent image for human beings as the work of God’s creative hand (Is 64:8; Jer 18:6; Job 10:9; 33:6). The potter collecting clay (or mortar) worked it into the proper consistency by treading it, perhaps in the pit where he dug it (Nahum 3:14). The psalmist contrasts the treader’s foot stuck in the clay with the secure foothold God provides after drawing him up out of the slippery pit (Ps 40:2). The prophet warns of impending judgment, a trampling on rulers as a potter treads his clay, suggesting a treading in preparation for God’s reforming and refashioning (Is 41:25). As the master potter, God has the unquestionably sovereign right to give each of his creations a specific shape and purpose according to his will (Is 29:16; 45:9; Rom 9:21).
The fragility of dried, unfired clay offers a vivid depiction of weakness in words (Job 13:12), spirit (Ps 31:12), kingdoms (Is 30:14; Dan 2:41–42; Lam 4:2) and earthly existence in general (Job 4:19). Just as defiled vessels are to be shattered according to OT ritual laws (Lev 6:28; 11:33; 15:12), so those who dishonor God will be judged (Ps 2:9; Is 41:25; Jer 19:1–11; 22:28; 48:38; Rev 2:27). Those who serve God, however, are like earthen vessels containing valuables; they are both precious and useful to him (2 Cor 4:7; Tim 2:20; Acts 9:15). The hand of God that forms and transforms humans (Is 64:8) is echoed in the story of Jesus’ applying healing clay to blind eyes (John 9:6–15).
Ryken, L., Wilhoit, J., Longman, T., Duriez, C., Penney, D., & Reid, D. G. (2000). In Dictionary of biblical imagery (electronic ed., p. 155). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.