Jeremiah Chapter 10
1 Hear the word which the LORD speaks to you, house of Israel!
2 The LORD says, "Don't learn the way of the nations, and don't be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them.
3 For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts 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, so that it can't move.
5 They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don't speak. They must be carried, because they can't move. Don't be afraid of them; for they can't do evil, neither is it in them to do good."
6 There is no one like you, LORD. You are great, and your name is great in might.
7 Who shouldn't fear you, King of the nations? For it belongs to you. Because amongst all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is no one like you.
8 But they are together brutish and foolish, instructed by idols! It is just wood.
9 There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the engraver and of the hands of the goldsmith. Their clothing is blue and purple. They are all the work of skilful men.
10 But the LORD is the true God. He is the living God, and an everlasting King. At his wrath, the earth trembles. The nations aren't able to withstand his indignation.
11 "You shall say this to them: 'The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.' "
12 God has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens.
13 When he utters his voice, the waters in the heavens roar, and he causes the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain, and brings the wind out of his treasuries.
14 Every man has become brutish and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
15 They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation they will perish.
16 The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the maker of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: the LORD of Armies is his name.
17 Gather up your wares out of the land, you who live under siege.
18 For the LORD says, "Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and will distress them, that they may feel it."
19 Woe is me because of my injury! My wound is serious; but I said, "Truly this is my grief, and I must bear it."
20 My tent has been destroyed, and all my cords are broken. My children have gone away from me, and they are no more. There is no one to spread my tent any more, to set up my curtains.
21 For the shepherds have become brutish, and have not enquired of the LORD. Therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks have scattered.
22 The voice of news, behold, it comes, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a dwelling place of jackals.
23 LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself. It is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
24 LORD, correct me, but gently; not in your anger, lest you reduce me to nothing.
25 Pour out your wrath on the nations that don't know you, and on the families that don't call on your name; for they have devoured Jacob. Yes, they have devoured him, consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation.
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Jeremiah Chapter 10 Guide
Here begins the third movement in the commissioning of the prophet. In it the sin of idolatry is first dealt with. The prophet revealed the unutterable folly of idolatry in a powerful contrast between idols and Jehovah. He described the vanity of idols. They were the work of the hands of man. They were unable to move, but had to be carried.
In contrast, he declared the majesty of Jehovah. Continuing the contrast, he described the weakness of idols, and the might of the true and living God. The test as between idols and Jehovah he declared to be the test of creation. Gods that had not made the heavens and the earth must perish from the earth and from under the heavens. Jehovah God had made the earth and stretched out the heavens. He, therefore, was the God of power.
Once again, the prophet suggested a contrast, but it is now between the man and idolatry, and the man and Jehovah. The former becomes brutish, while the portion of Jacob is Jehovah Himself. On the sin of idolatry he then pronounced judgment. He next uttered the wail of the people, and ended by a cry of distress to Jehovah in the presence of the destruction of Jacob.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Jeremiah Chapter 10 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The absurdity of idolatry. -- (1-16)
- Destruction denounced against Jerusalem. -- (17-25)
Verses 1-16
The prophet shows the glory of Israel's God, and exposes the folly of idolaters. Charms and other attempts to obtain supernatural help, or to pry into futurity, are copied from the wicked customs of the heathen. Let us stand in awe, and not dare provoke God, by giving that glory to another which is due to him alone. He is ready to forgive, and save all who repent and believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ. Faith learns these blessed truths from the word of God; but all knowledge not from that source, leads to doctrines of vanity.
Verses 17-25
The Jews who continued in their own land, felt secure. But, sooner or later, sinners will find all things as the word of God has declared, and that its threatenings are not empty terrors. Submission will support the believer under every grief allotted to him; but what can render the load of Divine vengeance easy to be borne by those who fall under it in sullen despair? Those cannot expect to prosper, who do not, by faith and prayer, take God with them in all their ways. The report of the enemy's approach was very dreadful. Yet the designs which men lay deep, and think well formed, are dashed to pieces in a moment. Events are often overruled, so as to be quite contrary to what we intended and expected. If the Lord has directed our steps into the ways of peace and righteousness, let us entreat him to enable us to walk therein. Say not, Lord, do not correct me; but, Lord, do not correct me in anger. We may bear the smart of God's rod, but we cannot bear the weight of his wrath. Those who restrain prayer, prove that they know not God; for those who know him will seek him, and seek his favour. If even severe corrections lead sinners to be convinced of wholesome truths, they will have abundant cause for gratitude. And they will then humble themselves before the Lord.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.