In Jeremiah 1:13 we are told of a boiling pot whose liquid boils over and pours out from the north to the south.
Jeremiah 1:13:
13 The word of the Lord came to me again: ‘What do you see?’ ‘I see a pot that is boiling,’ I answered. ‘It is tilting towards us from the north.’
13 The word of the Lord came to me again: ‘What do you see?’ ‘I see a pot that is boiling,’ I answered. ‘It is tilting towards us from the north.’
Even though the scripture is related to God’s judgment, the LORD let me know that it continues to be also connected with the dimension of God’s creativity.
The Watching and the Creativity of God
The prophet Jeremiah previously received divine instruction through the realm of plants in the kind of a blossoming almond branch, which was related to the watching power of God over His Word (cf. Jeremiah 1:11-12).
Jeremiah 1:11-12:
11 The word of the Lord came to me: ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ ‘I see the branch of an almond tree,’ I replied.
12 The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.’
11 The word of the Lord came to me: ‘What do you see, Jeremiah?’ ‘I see the branch of an almond tree,’ I replied.
12 The Lord said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.’
Jeremiah then received prophetic insight into the creative power of God by seeing a pot filled with boiling liquid that poured out from the north to the south, as mentioned earlier.
Since vessels in this context can represent people or even a nation, we can see in them the creative power of God shaping these vessels for specific tasks (cf. Jeremiah 18:1-6 i.c.w. Genesis 2:6-7; 2 Timothy 2:20-21).
Jeremiah 18:1-6:
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 ‘Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.’
3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.
4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
5 Then the word of the Lord came to me.
6 He said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: 2 ‘Go down to the potter’s house, and there I will give you my message.’
3 So I went down to the potter’s house, and I saw him working at the wheel.
4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
5 Then the word of the Lord came to me.
6 He said, ‘Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?’ declares the Lord. ‘Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.
Genesis 2:6-7:
… 6 but streams [Note: a mist] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground.
7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
… 6 but streams [Note: a mist] came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground.
7 Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.
2 Timothy 2:20-21:
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.
21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use.
21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
The Outpouring from North to South
Here, an important role is played in the outpouring of God in Jeremiah 1:13, where the boiling liquid pours over the rim of the vessel (Note: face) from north to south. In this is seen the passion of God, who is a jealous God as well as a consuming fire, and causes the truth of His already present Word to be brought within us to a higher temperature from cold to hot.
This includes the change from words of encouragement to words of holiness, for without holiness, we are not able to see the LORD and to understand Him more deeply (cf. Deuteronomy 4:24 i.c.w. Hebrews 12:14.29).
Deuteronomy 4:24:
24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Hebrews 12:14.29:
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no-one will see the Lord. …
… 29 for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’
14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no-one will see the Lord. …
… 29 for our ‘God is a consuming fire.’
In Hebrew, the Hebrew word ‘pānîm’ is used in connection with the pouring out of the boiling liquid over the edge of the north, meaning ‘faces’ as well as ‘a person’s presence, appearance, and front.’ (Note: part excerpt from the Elberfelder Study Bible on the word ‘face – pānîm’ with the word key number 6574)
Thus, the outpouring is about a certain facet of God pouring out of one of His four faces, which is the lion, since it is associated with, among other things, the spirit of the fear of the LORD and God as king. This becomes clear from the Hebrew word ‘ariel’ for ‘lion’, which phonetically can also mean ‘furnace of fire’ or ‘hearth of fire’ and is spelled ‘ari`eyl’ in Hebrew (cf. Ezekiel 43:15).
Furthermore, the seat or throne of God is in the farthest north, indicating His kingship (cf. Psalm 48:2 i.c.w. Isaiah 14:13).
Psalm 48:2:
2 Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon [Note: the farthest north] is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.
2 Beautiful in its loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the heights of Zaphon [Note: the farthest north] is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King.
Isaiah 14:13:
13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon [Note: the farthest north].
13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon [Note: the farthest north].
In connection with this, it is interesting to note that to the north the unit of the tribe of ‘Dan – judge’ is positioned, which is about the righteous judgment of God. To the south is assigned the unit of the tribe ‘Reuben – Behold a Son!’ where it is about seeing the Son of God.
It follows that if we sincerely enter into ‘judgment’ with ourselves (Note: honest dealing with our thoughts, motives and actions), which means having a repentant heart and repenting where it is necessary, it will result in seeing Christ Jesus in His Sonship in a new way.
It follows that if we sincerely enter into ‘judgment’ with ourselves (Note: honest dealing with our thoughts, motives and actions), which means having a repentant heart and repenting where it is necessary, it will result in seeing Christ Jesus in His Sonship in a new way.
It is Jesus who is our ‘Melchizedek – King of Righteousness’ and who acts out on the foundation of peace – Jerusalem (cf. Hebrews 7:1-3).
Hebrews 7:1-3:
1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem [Note: means 'peace'] and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness’; then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace’.
3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest for ever.
1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem [Note: means 'peace'] and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means ‘king of righteousness’; then also, ‘king of Salem’ means ‘king of peace’.
3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest for ever.
Furthermore, pouring over the rim of the pot from the north (Note: absence of light => realm of God’s mysteries) reveals that the LORD, is stirring up the truth of God’s Word already implemented in us by His passion, so that we begin to speak the words directed from the Spirit in the moments orchestrated by God (cf. Luke 12:12 i.c.w. 1 Corinthians 2:7-9.13).
Luke 12:12:
‚… 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’
‚… 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.’
1 Corinthians 2:7-9.13:
7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ – the things God has prepared for those who love him – …
13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.
8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ – the things God has prepared for those who love him – …
13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.
The Rim and the Boiling Liquid
Based on the Hebrew word for ‘rim – śāp̅āh’ as well as the Greek word ‘ạnō’, a reference can be made to the communication of the Spirit on a higher level, which in Hebrew means ‘termination, the lip in the form of a natural boundary (Note: like ‘tongue of land’) or also a language’ and in Greek means ‘above, high, on’. (Note: part excerpt from the Elberfelder Study Bible on the word ‘rim – śāp̅āh’ and the Greek word ‘rim - ạnō’ with the word key number 7886, 507)
The rim including the boiling liquid reveals our intimate relationship with the LORD, from which our identity in Christ Jesus is defined. This encompasses our understanding of values based on the truth of God’s Word, which represents our spiritual boundaries. Furthermore, it reveals the potential of the boundaries He has set for us, which are associated with the necessary protection and security of our sphere of authority. (Note: For more on God’s set boundaries, see here.)
The reason for setting boundaries is that it is the place where we are trained for government by the leading of the Holy Spirit, for a man who rules his spirit is greater than a man who rules a city (cf. Proverbs 16:32).
Proverbs 16:32:
32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.
Walking in the principles of God and in His order implies for us that our desire is in accordance with God’s appointed time and standard to obtain what we desire is according to the will of God (cf. Psalm 20:4).
Psalm 20:4:
4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
When we have a pure desire according to the standard of God’s Word, this causes God to become active in our cause so that a sphere of life becomes visible in the future over which the revelatory truth of God’s Word extends and testifies to eternal life in Christ, the firstborn, so that He is seen (cf. Proverbs 12:12b i.c.w. Romans 8:29; Colossians 1:18).
Proverbs 12:12b:
…, 12b but the root of the righteous endures.
Proverbs 12:12b:
…, 12b but the root of the righteous endures.
Romans 8:29:
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
Colossians 1:18:
18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.
The rim in the form of the biblical standards and the truth of God’s Word active in us, as well as its application in first love, result in our entering a realm of inner transformation that causes an increase of quality in our identity in Christ Jesus.
The Transformation at the Wedding at Cana
This transformation process is like the wedding at Cana, where six stone jars with a capacity of about one hundred litres (Note: filled with wine) stood and, after they were empty, were filled with water by Jesus’ instruction (cf. John 2:3, 6-7).
John 2:3.6-7:
3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ …
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres.
7 Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.
3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’ …
6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from eighty to a hundred and twenty litres.
7 Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim.
While the water was brought to the master of the feast as well as to the bridegroom at the wedding, it turned into wine, indicating a dimension of the vision of the Lion of Judah (cf. John 2:8-10 i.c.w. Genesis 49:12a).
John 2:8-10:
8 Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’
8 Then he told them, ‘Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.’ They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realise where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’
Genesis 49:12a:
12a His [Note: Judah’s) eyes will be darker than wine, …
12a His [Note: Judah’s) eyes will be darker than wine, …
It is the substance of the Spirit within us that causes us to increase in the spiritual quality of our identity in Christ, which is equivalent to the Son of God changing our name (cf. Mark 3:16; Revelation 2:17).
Mark 3:16-17:
16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means ‘sons of thunder’), …
16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means ‘sons of thunder’), …
Revelation 2:17 (Note: letter to the Ekklēsia of Pergamum):
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
17 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.
The transformation of water to wine in this context may point to the importance of the truth of the Word and the love of Christ, which cannot be separated. It is the power of the revelatory truth of God’s Word that intensifies our faith to know Jesus Christ more clearly and to love Him (cf. Matthew 22:37 i.c.w. Romans 10:17).
Matthew 22:37:
37 Jesus replied: ‘ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (cf. Deuteronomy 6:5).”
37 Jesus replied: ‘ “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (cf. Deuteronomy 6:5).”
Romans 10:17:
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
The Two Colours and Their Faces
Furthermore, two colours play a significant role in the transformation in the jars from water to wine. These are blue and red, which are at the same time connected with the face of the eagle in the form of knowledge and the face of the lion in the form of the spirit of God. In this it is clear that God changed His face from the eagle to the lion at the wedding at Cana, which means the influence of heaven on earth to exercise His kingship (cf. Matthew 6:10).
Matthew 6:10:
… 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
… 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Within the phases of ‘wine to water and water to wine’ is hidden the mingling of blue and red, resulting in the colour purple. Purple indicates the spirit of the fear of the LORD, which is also associated with the face of the lion.
It is the presence of the fear of the LORD that brings wisdom into existence (cf. Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10).
Psalm 111:10:
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Proverbs 9:10:
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
(Note: For more on the four faces and the colours, see here.)
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
(Note: For more on the four faces and the colours, see here.)
These ‘elements’ of wine, also representing blood, and water also played an important role in Jesus’ crucifixion because they accompanied the birth of Jesus’ bride, much like the birth of a child, which is accompanied by water and blood.
John 19:34:
34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water.
1 John 5:6:
6 This is the one who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
6 This is the one who came by water and blood – Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
