Perhaps we all know something about how a potter takes clay and shapes it into a pitcher or a vessel of some kind. Sometimes it doesn’t take the right shape, so the potter starts over again. He can do what he wants with the clay. Here the Lord tells Israel that they, His people are a “marred” or a spoiled vessel.
V.8 If you have read the story of Jonah and Nineveh, you will remember that God did just what He tells us in this verse.
V.12 In spite of the promise of blessing, their answer is that they will not listen, but will continue with their evil ways.
V.18 They were getting tired of listening to Jeremiah’s pleadings and warnings, though he was just telling them the Word of God. Now they begin to plan trouble for him so they won’t have to listen to his words any more.