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.

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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,

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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.

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

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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.

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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 fo 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."

10 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

Theme: True vs. False Boasting

The contrast in vv. 23-24 is striking — three things the world values (wisdom, strength, wealth) versus the one thing God values: knowing Him. Paul picks this up directly in 1 Corinthians 1:31.

The connection between vv. 23-24 and vv. 25-26 is the theme of externals vs. internals. Just as boasting in wisdom/might/riches is external, so is physical circumcision without heart change. God looks past the outward marker to the inward reality.

Key cross-reference chain:

• Jeremiah 9:23-24 → 1 Corinthians 1:31 → 2 Corinthians 10:17
• Jeremiah 9:26 "uncircumcised in heart" → Deuteronomy 10:16 → Romans 2:28-29 → Acts 7:51

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