Jeremiah 10

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Jeremiah 10

False Gods Contrasted with the Creator

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1 Hear the word that the LORD has spoken to you, house of Israel.

2 This is what the LORD says: Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, although the nations are terrified by them,

Leviticus 18:3, Isaiah 47:12-14

3 for the customs of the peoples are worthless. Someone cuts down a tree from the forest; it is worked by the hands of a craftsman with a chisel.

4 He decorates it with silver and gold. It is fastened with hammer and nails, so it won't totter.

5 Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them for they can do no harm - and they cannot do any good.

6 Yahweh, there is no one like You! You are great; Your name is great in power.

7 Who should not fear You, King of the nations? It is what You deserve. For among all the wise people of the nations and among their kingdoms, there is no one like You.

8 They are both stupid and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!

9 Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz from the hands of a goldsmith, the work of a craftsman. Their clothing is blue and purple, all the work of skilled artisans.

10 But Yahweh is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His rage.

11 You are to say this to them, “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under these heavens.”

12 He made the earth by His power, established the world by His wisdom, and spread out the heavens by His understanding.

13 When He thunders, the waters in the heavens are in turmoil, and He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind from His storehouses.

14 Everyone is stupid and ignorant. Every goldsmith is put to shame by his carved image, for his cast images are a lie; there is no breath in them.

15 They are worthless, a work to be mocked. At the time of their punishment they will be destroyed.

16 Jacob’s Portion is not like these because He is the One who formed all things. Israel is the tribe of His inheritance; Yahweh of Hosts is His name.

1 Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O Israel!

2 This is what the LORD says: "Do not act like the other nations, who try to read their future in the stars. Do not be afraid of their predictions, even though other nations are terrified by them.

3 Their ways are futile and foolish. They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.

4 They decorate it with gold and silver and then fasten it securely with hammer and nails so it won't fall over.

5 Their gods are like helpless scarecrows in a cucumber field! They cannot speak, and they need to be carried because they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of such gods, for they can neither harm you nor do you any good."

1 Hear what the LORD says to you, people of Israel.

2 This is what the LORD says: "Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.

3 For the practices of the peoples are worthless; they cut a tree out of the forest, and a craftsman shapes it with his chisel.

4 They adorn it with silver and gold; they fasten it with hammer and nails so it will not totter.

5 Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field, their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them; they can do no harm nor can they do any good."

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.

Study Notes

Study Notes: Jeremiah 10:2-3

1. Most people would like to know the future. Decisions would be easier, failures would be avoided, and success would be assured. The people of Judah wanted to know the future, too, and they tried to discern it through reading:"their future in the stars." Jeremiah's response still applies today. God made the earth and the heavens, including the stars that the people consulted and worshipped. No one will discover their future in made-up charts of God's stars. But God, who promises to guide you, knows your future and will be with you all the way. He may not reveal your future to you, but He will walk with you as the future unfolds. Don't trust in the stars, trust in the one who made them.
2. This discussion of stars reminds me of the song Stars by Skillet.

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