1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:
2 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.
3 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.
4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.
5 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.
6 Forasmuch as [there is] none like unto thee, O LORD; thou [art] great, and thy name [is] great in might.
7 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.
8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.
9 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].
10 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.
11 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.
12 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.
13 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.
14 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.
15 They [are] vanity, [and] the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
16 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.
17 Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.
18 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].
19 Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this [is] a grief, and I must bear it.
20 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.
21 For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.
22 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.
23 O LORD, I know that the way of man [is] not in himself: [it is] not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.
25 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.
Overview of Jeremiah Chapter 10
Jeremiah Chapter 10 presents a powerful message from God through the prophet Jeremiah, addressing the people of Israel and their relationship with idolatry. This chapter emphasizes the futility of worshipping idols and contrasts the living God with the lifeless images created by human hands. It serves as a warning to the people of Judah, urging them to turn back to God and recognize His sovereignty.
Key Themes
- Condemnation of Idolatry: The chapter opens with a clear denunciation of the worship of idols, highlighting the emptiness of such practices.
- The Sovereignty of God: It emphasizes God’s supreme power and authority over all creation, contrasting Him with the powerless idols.
- Call to Repentance: The chapter serves as a reminder for the people to return to the true worship of God and abandon their false gods.
Detailed Analysis
Verses 1-5: A Warning Against Idolatry
In the opening verses, God instructs Jeremiah to listen to the words of the Lord and not to be dismayed by the practices of the nations. The text warns against the customs of the people, particularly their idol worship. The description of idols made from wood and metal illustrates their lifelessness and inability to provide any real help or protection.
- The futility of idols is emphasized through the imagery of craftsmen creating them.
- Idols are depicted as being unable to speak or move, highlighting their impotence.
- The people are warned not to be afraid of these idols, as they hold no power.
Verses 6-10: The Unique Nature of God
These verses declare the greatness of God, setting Him apart from the idols. The text asserts that God is the Creator of the universe, and His power is unmatched. The contrast between the living God and the lifeless idols is stark, reinforcing the message that only God deserves worship.
- God is described as the true God, emphasizing His eternal nature.
- His sovereignty is affirmed, as He is the one who made the heavens and the earth.
- The passage highlights that God is a living God, in contrast to the dead idols.
Verses 11-16: The Fate of Idols
In these verses, God declares that idols will perish. The text emphasizes that those who make and worship idols will face consequences for their actions. The passage serves as a sobering reminder of the ultimate fate of false gods and the people who rely on them.
- Idols are described as worthless and unable to save.
- The chapter emphasizes that God is the portion and inheritance of His people.
- The contrast between God’s faithfulness and the futility of idols is reiterated.
Verses 17-25: A Call to Action
The final verses of the chapter call for the people to gather their belongings and prepare for the coming judgment. Jeremiah expresses anguish over the fate of the people, recognizing that they have turned away from God. The chapter concludes with a plea for God to pour out His wrath on the nations that do not acknowledge Him.
- The call to gather belongings signifies impending disaster.
- Jeremiah’s lament reflects the deep sorrow for his people’s disobedience.
- The chapter ends with a reminder of God’s justice and the consequences of idolatry.
Conclusion
Jeremiah Chapter 10 serves as a critical reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of recognizing the sovereignty of God. Through vivid imagery and powerful contrasts, the chapter urges the people of Israel to turn away from their false gods and return to the worship of the one true God. The themes of judgment, repentance, and the futility of idols resonate throughout the text, making it a poignant message for both the original audience and contemporary readers.
