In Jeremiah 17 the prophet says that it was not only Israel's sin but Judah's, that was so tremendous. Moreover, their danger was in trusting in man and the arm of flesh (verse 5). When the state of things becomes thoroughly evil and corrupt, the only object of trust is God. We must look to Him, and such is the blessing of the Lord that if we only confide in Him no day is so dark but what God can give us the richest blessings and the light of His presence. This subject is pursued in a very striking manner in the context.
In Jeremiah 18 we have the potter's house brought before us as a prophetic sign. The house of Israel was, of course, the clay to be moulded by the potter; "as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in Mine hand, O house of Israel." So the Lord shows the desperate case of this people, with whom He had taken such trouble. The effect of sending His precious words to them was their anger and hatred of His servant. Jeremiah was the great object of their animosity. "Then said they, Come, and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet." They were extremely jealous of him as an intruder. "Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words."