Jeremiah 19:1-15
Jeremiah is asked by the LORD to return to the potter’s house – not this time to watch him at work, but to buy an earthen bottle for himself. Afterwards, taking with him some of the elders of the people, he has to carry this vessel away into the valley of the son of Hinnom.
It was a sinister place, this valley of Hinnom (from which the word gehenna – hell-fire – comes), also called Tophet (v. 6). Human sacrifices to Baal had been offered there from the time of king Manasseh (2 Chronicles 33:6; Jeremiah 7:31). That is why Josiah destroyed it (2 Kings 23:10). In this place, the scene of such frightful iniquities, the people must listen to the terrible words spoken at the same time that the vessel representing them is dashed to pieces. Jeremiah then returns to the temple and confirms the word of the LORD in the ears of all Jerusalem. Think of the courage he needed to condemn so publicly the conduct of the people and to tell them the irrevocable decision of the LORD concerning them. It may happen at times that we find ourselves isolated in hostile surroundings where we have to bear testimony through our deeds and words. Let us ask the Lord to give us the same boldness.