Jeremiah 10
BBCJeremiah 10:1
- A Satire on Idolatry (10:1-18)10:1-5 This chapter alternates between the vanity of idols and the greatness of God. God’s people should not learn the way of the Gentiles and their lifeless idols. Yates comments about the satire on idols: Jeremiah is cruel in his treatment of the poor, defenseless idols that men use as substitutes for God. They are unresponsive sticks that have to be decorated so as to conceal the fact that they are only dead wood. Instead of carrying they must be carried. They must be fashioned; God fashions. No speech, no power, no breath, no intelligence, no worth, no influence, and no permanence can be attributed to them. In contrast Yahweh is eternal, living, active, powerful. 10:6-9 God is the great . . . King of the nations, worthy of fear. Those who worship idols are dull-hearted and foolish, bowing to the work of men’s hands. 10:10-16 The LORD is the true and living God. Manufactured gods will perish. Jehovah is the God of creation and providence. Idol-makers are dull-hearted, and their images futile. The God (Portion) of Jacob is the Maker, the LORD of hosts. 10:17, 18 The inhabitants of the land are told to gather up what they can carry because the Lord is sending them into exile.
Jeremiah 10:19
- The Weeping Prophet’s Prayer (10:19-25)Speaking for the nation, Jeremiah laments the horrors of the siege and exile, confesses human ignorance, asks God to discipline His people and to pour out His fury on their enemies because they have eaten up His people.