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.
Chapter 10 of the Book of Jeremiah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Holy Bible is a profound and evocative chapter that deals with the themes of idolatry, divine sovereignty, and the impending judgement of God. The chapter opens up with a warning against idolatry and the futility of worshipping false gods. This is followed by a powerful affirmation of God’s sovereignty and His impending judgment on the nations. The chapter concludes with a heartfelt prayer from Jeremiah to God, emphasizing his reliance on God's mercy and justice.
Chapter 10 begins with God’s command to the house of Israel not to follow the ways of the Gentiles or be dismayed at the signs of heaven (Jeremiah 10:2). The Gentiles, being non-Jewish nations, were often associated with idolatry and pagan practices. The 'signs of heaven' referred to here are most likely astrological signs, which were often used in pagan practices for divination and prediction. God warns the Israelites not to be influenced by these practices.
The chapter then goes on to describe the process of making idols, which were made of wood and overlaid with precious metals. These idols were then decorated with silver and gold and fastened with nails and hammers so that they would not topple (Jeremiah 10:3-4). Despite their attractive appearance, these idols were lifeless and powerless. They could not speak or walk and had to be carried because they could not move themselves (Jeremiah 10:5).
The futility of these idols is further emphasized by comparing them with God. Unlike these idols, God is not made by human hands. He is the living God, the eternal King (Jeremiah 10:10). He is the creator of the heavens and the earth, and He has the power to cause destruction on the earth (Jeremiah 10:12-13). Therefore, any fear or reverence that is due should be directed towards God and not towards these idols.
In addition to the warning against idolatry, Chapter 10 of Jeremiah also affirms the sovereignty of God. God is depicted as the one who made the earth by His power, established the world by His wisdom, and stretched out the heavens by His understanding (Jeremiah 10:12). He is the one who controls the forces of nature and the events on earth. This depiction of God’s sovereignty serves to contrast with the powerlessness of the idols and to emphasize that God alone is worthy of worship.
The chapter also speaks of God’s impending judgement on the nations. God announces that He will bring disaster from the north, a great destruction (Jeremiah 10:22). This is a reference to the impending Babylonian invasion, which was God’s judgement on the nation of Judah for their disobedience and idolatry.
The chapter concludes with a prayer from Jeremiah, where he acknowledges his reliance on God and pleads for His mercy. Jeremiah acknowledges that it is not within man to direct his steps and asks God to correct him, but with justice and not in anger, lest He brings him to nothing (Jeremiah 10:23-24). This prayer reflects Jeremiah’s humility and his recognition of God’s sovereignty and justice. It also reveals his deep desire for God’s mercy in the midst of impending judgement.
In conclusion, Chapter 10 of the Book of Jeremiah presents a powerful message against idolatry and a strong affirmation of God’s sovereignty. It warns of the impending judgement of God due to disobedience and idolatry and ends with a heartfelt prayer for mercy and guidance. The chapter serves as a poignant reminder of the futility of worshipping false gods and the importance of recognizing and submitting to the sovereignty of the one true God.
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