Jeremiah 10

CHAPTER 10

Gods and Idols (10:1–16)

(Jeremiah 51:15–19)

1–5 This chapter concludes the series of messages that Jeremiah delivered at the gate of the temple (Jeremiah 7:1–2). Here Jeremiah addresses not only Judah but the whole house of Israel (verse 1). Verses 1–16 deal with the subject of idolatry. The people of Judah were about to be sent into exile in Babylon, where they would be tempted to worship the Babylonian gods who—they might incorrectly suppose—had brought about Judah’s destruction. Of course it was the Lord who had destroyed Judah, and who in due course would destroy Babylon as well.

Therefore, the Lord (through Jeremiah) warns the exiles not to learn the idolatrous ways of the nations (verse 2)—especially the ways of Babylon. Let them not be tempted by signs in the sky—such as meteors, comets and eclipses—which terrified pagan people, who worshiped the heavenly bodies as gods. And let the exiles not follow the worthless customs of the pagan nations by making idols, who cannot speak or walk or do any harm or any good (verses 3–5); indeed, they can do nothing!⁴⁶ (see Psalm 115:2–8; Isaiah 40:18–20; 44:9–20; 46:5–7).

6–10 Here Jeremiah contrasts the greatness of the Lord with the worthlessness of idols. In verse 10, Jeremiah highlights three great differences between God and idols: God is true, idols are false; God is living, idols are lifeless; God is eternal, idols are transient (verse 10). Indeed, all who worship idols are senseless and foolish (verse 8).

11 This verse is unusual because it was written in Aramaic and not in Hebrew.⁴⁷ The Babylonians could understand Aramaic; therefore, the exiles could quote this verse when they needed to give a reason for refusing to worship the gods of Babylon.

12–16 But God—in contrast to the false gods in verse 11—has made the earth and stretched out the heavens (verse 12). He is the all–powerful Creator of the universe. He is also the Portion of Jacob (verse 16); He has established a special covenant relationship with one nation, Jacob (Israel), and He is their God, their Redeemer, their “Portion” (see Psalms 73:26; 119:57). At the same time, the people of Israel are God’s inheritance (see Deuteronomy 4:20; Isaiah 63:17). Thus God and His people belong to each other; He is theirs, and they are His. God said: “I will . . . be your God, and you will be my people” (Leviticus 26:12).

Jeremiah’s warning against idolatry must have been taken to heart by the exiles in Babylon. But it was the Exile itself, more than anything else, that cured the Israelites of their persistent idolatry. God had warned them through His prophets, He had punished them time and again; but only after He had driven them out of the land and into exile did the remnant of faithful Israelites truly turn back to Him. And they became His witnesses—witnesses of the one true God—in every nation where He had scattered them.⁴⁸

Coming Destruction (10:17–22)

17–18 Jeremiah warns the people of Judah that destruction and exile are coming quickly; let them leave the land before it is too late.

19–22 Here Jeremiah offers a lament on behalf of his people. He takes the part of Judah: My wound is incurable (verse 19). My tent is destroyed (verse 20). Jeremiah says: My sons are gone—that is, the people of Judah are gone; Jeremiah himself had no wife or children. He places the major blame for Judah’s predicament on the shepherds (verse 21)—the leaders of the people—who have allowed their flock to be scattered. The enemy is coming; a great commotion can be heard! (verse 22). The invaders will leave the land desolate; nothing but wild animals will remain (see Jeremiah 9:11).

Jeremiah’s Prayer (10:23–25)

23 I know, O LORD, that a man’s life is not his own. It belongs to God. As far as our own lives are concerned, there is no truth more crucial than this. We are not our own; we belong to the Lord. We have been bought at a price (1 Corinthians 6:19–20); the price was the blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:18–19; Revelation 5:9).

Since we are not our own, it is not for us to direct our steps; it is not for us to go where we please and do what we want. Rather, it is for us to do what our Owner wants. When we make ourselves His servants, we experience peace, joy and freedom. We become truly free by making ourselves “slaves” of God (John 8:31–32).

All of our fears and anxieties, all of our pride and self–centeredness, arise from this fundamental sin: we seek to be the “god” of our lives. We seek to “direct our steps.” We may ask God to bless our plans, but we are the ones who make the plans. True conversion, true spiritual rebirth, takes place only when we acknowledge that God is our Owner and we submit our lives to Him (see Romans 12:1).

24–25 Here Jeremiah prays as an advocate for Judah’s people. He acknowledges the need for correction, but he also pleads for justice; he prays that the people might not be reduced to nothing (verse 24). He prays that they might be corrected but not destroyed completely.

And yet ungodly enemies were trying to destroy Judah completely. In that context, Jeremiah prays that God will pour out His wrath on the nations (verse 25)—the nations that have devoured Jacob (see Psalm 79:6–7). These ungodly nations have themselves acted wickedly in their attempt to wipe out God’s people; therefore, Jeremiah prays that God will stop them and save His people from complete destruction. Jeremiah is not praying here with a vindictive spirit; rather, he is praying for justice and for deliverance.⁴⁹