Jeremiah 18:6,“O house of Israel, declares the LORD, can I not treat you as this potter treats his clay? Just like clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.” Jeremiah uses this image to describe how our Creator is shaping all of Israel as a potter forms the clay into a usable vessel. The clay needs to be the correct consistency to make it form. If there are air pockets in the clay it will be damaged when it is put into the oven or kiln to be finished. When there is weakness or sin in a nation it will be damaged when tested in the fire as well.