Jeremiah 10: Confronting Idols and Embracing the Living God
Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The Lord of hosts is his name.
Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.
Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
Jeremiah 10 presents a stark contrast between the living God of Israel and the lifeless idols of the surrounding nations. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of where true hope and security reside. The prophet Jeremiah uses vivid imagery to expose the futility of idolatry and to call the people back to faithful worship of the one true God.
The Vanity of Idols (Jeremiah 10:1-5)
The passage begins with a clear command: "Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 10:1). God is about to reveal the truth about idols. People are not to learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, even though the nations are terrified of them (Jeremiah 10:2). The customs of these people are worthless.
Jeremiah exposes the absurdity of idol worship. Idols are crafted from wood, cut from the forest by a craftsman's hands (Jeremiah 10:3). They are adorned with silver and gold, fastened with hammers and nails to prevent them from falling over (Jeremiah 10:4). They are nothing more than inanimate objects, incapable of thought, action, or deliverance. They are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, unable to speak or move without being carried (Jeremiah 10:5). Why should anyone fear them? They cannot do harm, nor can they do any good. The very act of fearing these powerless objects is a sign of misplaced trust and a rejection of the true God.
The Majesty of God (Jeremiah 10:6-10)
In stark contrast to the lifeless idols, Jeremiah proclaims the unparalleled greatness of the LORD. "No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power" (Jeremiah 10:6). He is the King of the nations, worthy of reverence and awe (Jeremiah 10:7). Unlike idols, which are the product of human hands, the LORD is the creator of all things (Jeremiah 10:12-13).
While the idols are foolish and senseless, the LORD is wise and understanding (Jeremiah 10:8). He is the true and living God, an everlasting king (Jeremiah 10:10). His wrath is to be feared. The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens. The prophet powerfully contrasts the futility of idols with the eternal power and sovereignty of the LORD. Scripture teaches that those who make idols and trust in them “are just like them” (Psalms 115:8; 135:18). Jeremiah would’ve agreed. To be instructed by worthless idols is to be both stupid and foolish (Jeremiah 10:8).
A Word in Aramaic (Jeremiah 10:11)
Interestingly, Jeremiah 10:11 is written in Aramaic, not Hebrew. This verse declares, "Thus you shall say to them: 'The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.'" Aramaic was the common language of trade and diplomacy in Jeremiah's time. It is likely included here so that foreign craftsmen and goldsmiths, those who profited from idol making, could understand the judgment that awaited their false gods.
God's Creative Power and Judah's Impending Doom (Jeremiah 10:12-22)
Jeremiah returns to emphasizing God's power as Creator (Jeremiah 10:12-13). He is the one who stretches out the heavens, establishes the earth by his wisdom, and sends forth lightning and rain. He is unlike the false gods of the nations. God calls himself Jacob’s Portion (Jeremiah 10:16), a name that had to encourage Jeremiah. It was a reminder that God would not wipe out Israel forever.
Despite God's power and faithfulness, judgment is coming upon Judah. The prophet announces the impending exile: "Gather up your belongings from the ground, you who live under siege" (Jeremiah 10:17). The LORD will hurl out the inhabitants of the land, bringing distress upon them (Jeremiah 10:18). Jeremiah laments the coming destruction, expressing his pain and sorrow for his people (Jeremiah 10:19-22).
Jeremiah's Prayer (Jeremiah 10:23-25)
The chapter concludes with Jeremiah's heartfelt prayer. He acknowledges God's sovereignty and humanity's dependence on Him: "I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Speaking as one who identifies with his people, Jeremiah acknowledges that he is not his own (Jeremiah 10:23). He is a creature in the hands of his Creator; God’s agenda, then, is Jeremiah’s agenda.
He pleads for God's discipline, but asks for it to be tempered with mercy: "Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing" (Jeremiah 10:24). God’s discipline is for our good, if we are willing to receive it. It may be painful. But for those who are trained by it, “it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). Finally, Jeremiah asks that God would pour out [his] wrath on the nations who don’t acknowledge the Lord and who have consumed his people (Jeremiah 10:25).
Hear ye the word which the Lord speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.
For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.
Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O Lord; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.
Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee.
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Silver spread into plates is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the workman, and of the hands of the founder: blue and purple is their clothing: they are all the work of cunning men.
But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, even they shall perish from the earth, and from under these heavens.
He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.
When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The Lord of hosts is his name.
Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
For thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this once, and will distress them, that they may find it so.
Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.
My tabernacle is spoiled, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth of me, and they are not: there is none to stretch forth my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.
For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the Lord: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
O Lord, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
Pour out thy fury upon the heathen that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
Jeremiah 10 presents a stark contrast between the living God of Israel and the lifeless idols of the surrounding nations. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder of where true hope and security reside. The prophet Jeremiah uses vivid imagery to expose the futility of idolatry and to call the people back to faithful worship of the one true God.
The Vanity of Idols (Jeremiah 10:1-5)
The passage begins with a clear command: "Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O house of Israel" (Jeremiah 10:1). God is about to reveal the truth about idols. People are not to learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, even though the nations are terrified of them (Jeremiah 10:2). The customs of these people are worthless.
Jeremiah exposes the absurdity of idol worship. Idols are crafted from wood, cut from the forest by a craftsman's hands (Jeremiah 10:3). They are adorned with silver and gold, fastened with hammers and nails to prevent them from falling over (Jeremiah 10:4). They are nothing more than inanimate objects, incapable of thought, action, or deliverance. They are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, unable to speak or move without being carried (Jeremiah 10:5). Why should anyone fear them? They cannot do harm, nor can they do any good. The very act of fearing these powerless objects is a sign of misplaced trust and a rejection of the true God.
The Majesty of God (Jeremiah 10:6-10)
In stark contrast to the lifeless idols, Jeremiah proclaims the unparalleled greatness of the LORD. "No one is like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is mighty in power" (Jeremiah 10:6). He is the King of the nations, worthy of reverence and awe (Jeremiah 10:7). Unlike idols, which are the product of human hands, the LORD is the creator of all things (Jeremiah 10:12-13).
While the idols are foolish and senseless, the LORD is wise and understanding (Jeremiah 10:8). He is the true and living God, an everlasting king (Jeremiah 10:10). His wrath is to be feared. The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens. The prophet powerfully contrasts the futility of idols with the eternal power and sovereignty of the LORD. Scripture teaches that those who make idols and trust in them “are just like them” (Psalms 115:8; 135:18). Jeremiah would’ve agreed. To be instructed by worthless idols is to be both stupid and foolish (Jeremiah 10:8).
A Word in Aramaic (Jeremiah 10:11)
Interestingly, Jeremiah 10:11 is written in Aramaic, not Hebrew. This verse declares, "Thus you shall say to them: 'The gods who did not make the heavens and the earth shall perish from the earth and from under the heavens.'" Aramaic was the common language of trade and diplomacy in Jeremiah's time. It is likely included here so that foreign craftsmen and goldsmiths, those who profited from idol making, could understand the judgment that awaited their false gods.
God's Creative Power and Judah's Impending Doom (Jeremiah 10:12-22)
Jeremiah returns to emphasizing God's power as Creator (Jeremiah 10:12-13). He is the one who stretches out the heavens, establishes the earth by his wisdom, and sends forth lightning and rain. He is unlike the false gods of the nations. God calls himself Jacob’s Portion (Jeremiah 10:16), a name that had to encourage Jeremiah. It was a reminder that God would not wipe out Israel forever.
Despite God's power and faithfulness, judgment is coming upon Judah. The prophet announces the impending exile: "Gather up your belongings from the ground, you who live under siege" (Jeremiah 10:17). The LORD will hurl out the inhabitants of the land, bringing distress upon them (Jeremiah 10:18). Jeremiah laments the coming destruction, expressing his pain and sorrow for his people (Jeremiah 10:19-22).
Jeremiah's Prayer (Jeremiah 10:23-25)
The chapter concludes with Jeremiah's heartfelt prayer. He acknowledges God's sovereignty and humanity's dependence on Him: "I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps" (Jeremiah 10:23). Speaking as one who identifies with his people, Jeremiah acknowledges that he is not his own (Jeremiah 10:23). He is a creature in the hands of his Creator; God’s agenda, then, is Jeremiah’s agenda.
He pleads for God's discipline, but asks for it to be tempered with mercy: "Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; not in your anger, lest you bring me to nothing" (Jeremiah 10:24). God’s discipline is for our good, if we are willing to receive it. It may be painful. But for those who are trained by it, “it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11). Finally, Jeremiah asks that God would pour out [his] wrath on the nations who don’t acknowledge the Lord and who have consumed his people (Jeremiah 10:25).