The Vision of the Boiling Pot
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Topical Encyclopedia
Biblical Reference:
The Vision of the Boiling Pot is found in the Book of Jeremiah, specifically in Jeremiah 1:13-14. This vision is part of the call narrative of the prophet Jeremiah, where God reveals to him the impending judgment upon Judah and Jerusalem.

Context and Background:
Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, was called by God to be a prophet during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. His ministry spanned the last decades of the kingdom of Judah, a time marked by political turmoil, idolatry, and impending disaster due to the nation's unfaithfulness to God. The vision of the boiling pot is one of the initial revelations given to Jeremiah, symbolizing the divine judgment that would come from the north.

Description of the Vision:
In Jeremiah 1:13-14 , the vision is described as follows: "Again the word of the LORD came to me, asking, 'What do you see?' 'I see a boiling pot,' I replied, 'and it is tilting away from the north.' Then the LORD said to me, 'Disaster will be poured out from the north on all who live in the land.'"

Symbolism and Interpretation:
The boiling pot represents imminent danger and judgment. The pot's contents, boiling and ready to spill over, symbolize the wrath and destruction that would be unleashed upon Judah. The direction from which the pot tilts—away from the north—indicates the origin of the threat. Historically, this refers to the Babylonian Empire, which would invade from the north and bring about the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.

The imagery of a boiling pot is vivid and conveys urgency and inevitability. It underscores the seriousness of Judah's situation due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant. The vision serves as a warning to the people of Judah to repent and return to the Lord, though, as the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that the nation would not heed this warning.

Theological Significance:
The Vision of the Boiling Pot highlights several key theological themes. Firstly, it emphasizes God's sovereignty over nations and history. The impending judgment is not merely a geopolitical event but a divine act orchestrated by God in response to the covenantal unfaithfulness of His people.

Secondly, the vision underscores the role of the prophet as a watchman and messenger. Jeremiah is tasked with delivering a difficult message of judgment, reflecting the prophetic responsibility to speak God's truth, regardless of its popularity or acceptance.

Lastly, the vision serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of repentance. It illustrates the principle that divine patience has limits, and persistent rebellion against God leads to judgment. However, even in judgment, God's ultimate purpose is redemptive, aiming to bring His people back to Himself.

Historical Fulfillment:
The vision was fulfilled with the Babylonian invasion and the subsequent exile of Judah. This event marked a pivotal moment in Israel's history, leading to a period of reflection and transformation for the Jewish people. The exile served as both a punishment and a means of purification, preparing the way for eventual restoration and the coming of the Messiah.
Subtopics

Vision

Vision of Abraham: Concerning his Descendants

Vision of Amos of a Plumb-Line

Vision of Amos of Fire

Vision of Amos of Grasshoppers

Vision of Amos of Summer Fruit

Vision of Amos of the Temple

Vision of Ananias of Christ

Vision of Balaam in a Trance

Vision of Cornelius, the Centurion of an Angel

Vision of Daniel of the Ancient of Days

Vision of Daniel of the Angel

Vision of Daniel of the Four Beasts

Vision of Daniel of the Ram and the He-Goat

Vision of David of the Angel of the Lord Beside the Threshing-Floor of Ornan

Vision of Elisha: At the Transporting of Elijah

Vision of Elisha's Servant of the Chariots of the Lord

Vision of Ezekiel of the City and Temple

Vision of Ezekiel of the Coals of Fire

Vision of Ezekiel of the Dry Bones

Vision of Ezekiel of the Glory of God

Vision of Ezekiel of the Man of Fire

Vision of Ezekiel of the Roll

Vision of Ezekiel of the Waters

Vision of Isaiah of the Lord and his Glory in the Temple

Vision of Isaiah of the Valley of Vision

Vision of Jacob of the Ladder With Ascending and Descending Angels

Vision of Jacob: At Beer-Sheba

Vision of Jeremiah of an Almond Rod

Vision of Jeremiah of the Seething Pot

Vision of Job of a Spirit

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos of Christ and the Golden Lampstands

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: A Rainbow and the Throne

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: A Son of Man With a Sickle

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: Death and Hell (Gehenna)

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: One-Third of the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars Were Darkened

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: Satan Bound for One-Thousand Years

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Coming out of the Temple

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Having Power Over Fire

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Having the Everlasting Gospel

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel in the Sun

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Proclaiming the Fall of Babylon

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Reaping the Harvest

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel That had a Book

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angels With the Seven Last Plagues

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Army of Horsemen

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast Coming out of the Earth

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast Rising out of the Sea

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast That Came up out of the Bottomless Pit

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Book With Seven Seals

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Bottomless Pit

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Censer

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Court of the Gentiles

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Destruction of Babylon

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Earthquake and the Celestial Phenomena

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Fall of the City

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Falling Star

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Angels

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Angels Released from the Euphrates River

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Horses

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Living Creatures

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Golden Vials

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Great White Throne

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Hail and Fire

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Lamb on Mount Zion

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Locusts

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Measurement of the Temple

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Mountain That Was Thrown Into the Sea

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Multitude Praising

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The New Jerusalem

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The One Who is Faithful and True, Riding a White Horse

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Open Door

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Opening of the Book of Life

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Plague Upon the Men Who had the Mark of the Beast

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Red Dragon

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The River of Life

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sea of Glass

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sea Turned Into Blood

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sealing of the One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Second and Third Woes

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seven Angels With the Seven Vials of the Wrath of God

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seven Lamps

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seven Thunders

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seventh Seal and the Seven Angels

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Six Seals

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Temple Opened

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Thrones of Judgment

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Tree of Life

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Twenty-Four Elders

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Two Olive Trees and the Two Lampstands

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Two Witnesses

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Vine and the Winepress

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The War in Heaven

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Woman Clothed With the Sun

Vision of John the Baptist: At the Immersion of Jesus

Vision of Joshua of the Captain of the Lord's Army

Vision of Micaiah of the Defeat of the Israelites; of the Lord on his Throne; and of a Lying Spirit

Vision of Moses of the Burning Bush

Vision of Moses of the Glory of God

Vision of Paul in a Trance

Vision of Paul in Corinth

Vision of Paul of a Man of Macedonia, Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia, and Help Us"

Vision of Paul of Ananias

Vision of Paul of Christ, on the Way to Damascus

Vision of Paul of Paradise

Vision of Peter of the Sheet Which Was Lowered from the Sky

Vision of Stephen of Christ

Vision of the Israelites of the Manifestation of the Glory of God

Vision of the People of the Tongues of Fire at Pentecost

Vision of Zacharias in the Temple

Vision of Zechariah of Horns and Carpenters

Vision of Zechariah of Horses

Vision of Zechariah of the Flying Roll

Vision of Zechariah of the Golden Lampstand

Vision of Zechariah of the High Priest

Vision of Zechariah of the Mountains and Chariots

Vision: A Mode of Revelation

Vision: Peter, James, and John of the Transfiguration of Jesus and the Appearance of Moses and Elijah

Related Terms

Night-visions (2 Occurrences)

Dreams (34 Occurrences)

Four (3139 Occurrences)

Dreamer (4 Occurrences)

Vision (106 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Iddo (14 Occurrences)

Mahazioth (2 Occurrences)

Creature (73 Occurrences)

Chebar (8 Occurrences)

Appear (111 Occurrences)

Alarming (3 Occurrences)

Affrighted (60 Occurrences)

Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)

Alarmed (28 Occurrences)

Seer (21 Occurrences)

Dream (82 Occurrences)

Glory (590 Occurrences)

Literature (2 Occurrences)

Substance (99 Occurrences)

Apocalyptic

Cloud (119 Occurrences)

Divine (39 Occurrences)

Amos (12 Occurrences)

Prophecy (37 Occurrences)

Prophets (270 Occurrences)

Records (50 Occurrences)

Fourth (87 Occurrences)

Zechariah (55 Occurrences)

Prophesy (96 Occurrences)

Fearful (73 Occurrences)

Prophesied (57 Occurrences)

Sovereign (209 Occurrences)

Revelation (52 Occurrences)

Daniel (74 Occurrences)

Mankind (80 Occurrences)

Esdras

Falsehood (107 Occurrences)

Night-vision (2 Occurrences)

Nightwatch

Unveiler (4 Occurrences)

Unhallowed (3 Occurrences)

Unspiritual (6 Occurrences)

Underfoot (14 Occurrences)

Oracles (8 Occurrences)

Jadon (1 Occurrence)

Jedo (1 Occurrence)

Located (5 Occurrences)

Locks (29 Occurrences)

Lock (6 Occurrences)

Gateway (40 Occurrences)

Whitewash (7 Occurrences)

Whited (7 Occurrences)

Watcher (2 Occurrences)

Imaginings (1 Occurrence)

Idle (33 Occurrences)

Final (16 Occurrences)

Fantasies (4 Occurrences)

Frighten (15 Occurrences)

Fancies (3 Occurrences)

Frightening (4 Occurrences)

Thirtieth (9 Occurrences)

Throne (181 Occurrences)

Trance (7 Occurrences)

Terrifiest (1 Occurrence)

Terrify (27 Occurrences)

Troubleth (12 Occurrences)

Revealeth (9 Occurrences)

Revealer (4 Occurrences)

Reveals (14 Occurrences)

Revelations (2 Occurrences)

Elihu (11 Occurrences)

Employment (5 Occurrences)

Extremely (15 Occurrences)

Enormous (5 Occurrences)

Expedient (8 Occurrences)

Daubed (9 Occurrences)

The Vision of the Basket of Ripe Fruit
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