Potter
Isaiah 64
To lament means to show “a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.” This prophetic poem from Isaiah is an expression of this lament. The community is grieved because of their sin. They know that it is holding them back from union with God that he designed them for.
Israel is continuously in rebellion against God, despite the fact that God has called them to be a nation set-apart for his purposes - to show the nations what God is like. They know that God has shown them mercy upon mercy, but their ways were so wicked, it’s as if God has turned away from them, giving them over to the desires of their hearts. (V. 7)
But after the lamenting of the first half of the poem, it takes a turn in verse 8. The author begins to plead with God on behalf of their nation. They appeal to God’s character, calling God their “Father” and “Potter.”
The author is first appealing to what Yahweh said about himself in Exodus 34, where he told Moses who he is. On the top of Mt. Sinai, Yahweh says that he is “gracious, compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. (Exodus 34:6). The author is pleading with God to act in a way that reflects a father who is slow to anger. But what does it mean for God to be the Potter?
Genesis 1:27 says that “ God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God created them; male and female created them.”
The Israelites know this creation story, and in this moment, are appealing to God as an artist who values and treasures their art.
Take a moment to think of a time when you created something beautiful, whether it was an art piece, or a killer project for work, or a piece of music that you performed. You probably dedicated hours of time into that project. You cared about it and valued it. How much more, then, does God care, value, and invest in His creation, whom he loves and created in His likeness?
God is a creative genius, who brought into an existence an entire world of beauty, and the crowning jewel of this creation is humanity. How deep is the love and value God has for us, the pinnacle of His creation. Isaiah recognizes this truth, and he believes it. In one of Israel's darkest moments, Isaiah chooses to remember God as a potter who will never stop loving His creation. Who desires to see them turn back to His way.
Next time you are in a dark moment, you have the opportunity to see God this way too. You can lament and plead with Him. As you plead with God, appeal to His character and ask him to show you more of it. People all throughout the scriptures have interacted with God in this way. As you lament and petition to God, evoke the name of “Potter,” one who is deeply invested and committed to their creation.
