10:2,3Most people would like to know the future. Decisions would be easier, failures would be avoided, and successes would be assured. The people of Judah wanted to know the future, too, and they tried to discern it through reading the signs in the sky. God made the earth and the heavens, including stars that people consult and worship (10:12). No one will discover the future in man-made charts of God's stars. But God, who Promises to guide you, knows your future and will be with you all the way. He will not reveal your future to you, but he will walk with you as the future unfolds. Don’t trust the stars; trust the one who made the stars.
Life Application Study BibleJeremiahChapter 10
Jeremiah 10
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1221, 1222, 1223
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
10Jeremiah 10
Idolatry Brings Destruction
1Hear the word that the LORD speaks to you, O Israel!
2This 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.
3Their ways are futile and foolish.They cut down a tree, and a craftsman carves an idol.
4They decorate it with gold and silverand then fasten it securely with hammer and nailsso it won't fall over.
5Their gods are likehelpless 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.”
6Lor», there is no one like you!For you are great, and your name is full of power.
7Who would not fear you, O King of nations?That title belongs to you alone!Among all the wise people of the earthand in all the kingdoms of the world,there is no one like you.
8People who worship idols are stupid and foolish.The things they worship are made of wood!
9They bring beaten sheets of silver from Tarshishand gold from Uphaz,and they give these materials to skillful craftsmenwho make their idols.Then they dress these gods in royal blue and purple robesmade by expert tailors.
10But the LORD is the only true God.He is the living God and the everlasting King!The whole earth trembles at his anger.The nations cannot stand up to his wrath.
11Say this to those who worship other gods: “ Your so-called gods, who did not make the heavens and earth, will vanish from the earth and from under the heavens.”*
12But God made the earth by his power,and he preserves it by his wisdom.With his own understandinghe stretched out the heavens.
13When he speaks in the thunder,the heavens roar with rain.He causes the clouds to rise over the earth.He sends the lightning with the rainand releases the wind from his storehouses.
14The whole human race is foolish and has no knowledge!The craftsmen are disgraced by the idols they make,for their carefully shaped works are a fraud.These idols have no breath or power.
15Idols are worthless; they are ridiculous lies!On the day of reckoning they wil! all be destroyed.
16But the God of Israel* is no idol!He is the Creator of everything that exists,including Israel, his own special possession.The LORD of Heaven's Armies is his name!
The Coming Destruction
1717 Pack your bags and prepare to leave;the siege is about to begin.
18For this is what the LORD says:“Suddenly, I will fling outall you who live in this land.I will pour great troubles upon you,and at last you will feel my anger.”
19My wound is severe,and my grief is great.My sickness is incurable,but I must bear it.
20My home is gone,and no one is left to help me rebuild it.My children have been taken away,and I will never see them again.
21The shepherds of my people have lost their senses.They no longer seek wisdom from the LORD.Therefore, they fail completely,and their flocks are scattered.
22Listen! Hear the terrifying roar of great armiesas they roll down from the north.The towns of Judah will be destroyedand become a haunt for jackals.Jeremiah’s Prayer
23I know, LORD, that our lives are not our own.We are not able to plan our own course.
24So correct me, LORD, but please be gentle.Do not correct me in anger, for I would die.
25Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge you—on the peoples that do not call upon your name.For they have devoured your people Israel”;they have devoured and consumed them,making the land a desolate wilderness.3. Jeremiah prophesies destruction
Textual footnotes
- 10:11 The original text of this verse is in Aramaic.
- 10:16 Hebrew the Portion of Jacob.
- 10:25 Hebrew devoured Jacob. See note on 5:20.
Life Application Notes 5 notes
10:8Those who put their trust in a chunk of wood, even though it is carved well and looks beautiful, are foolish. The simplest person who worships God is wiser than the wisest person who worships a worthless substitute because this person has discerned who God really is. In what or whom do you place your trust?
10:9Tarshish was located at the westward limit of the ancient world, perhaps in what is now Spain (see Jonah 1:3). It was a source of silver, tin, iead, and iron for Tyre (Ezekiel 27:12). The location of Uphaz is unknown. instead, it may be a metallurgical term for “refined goid.” No matter how well made or how beautiful idols are, they can never have the power and life of the true and living God.
10:19-21In this section, Jeremiah uses the picture of nomads wandering in the wilderness trying to pitch their tents. The shepherds of the nation are the evil leaders responsible for the distress. “Hiocks” are the people of Judah. Instead of guiding the people to God, the leaders were leading them astray.
10:23,24God's ability to direct our lives is far superior to our ability. Sometimes we are afraid of God's power and plans because we know his power would easily crush us if he used it against us. Don’t be afraid to let God correct your plans. He will give you wisdom if you are willing.
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See note on 5:20.