Jer 10:1-10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Jer 10:1-25: 10:1-25 This poetic passage has three parts. The first is a contrast between the Lord and pagan idols (10:1-16 ). The second is a two-part reflection on the destruction that lay ahead for the idol worshipers (10:17-18 , 19-22 ). The third part is a prayer for God to act with restraint in the coming judgment and not to allow the pagan nations to go unpunished (10:23-25 ). Summary for Jer 10:1-16: 10:1-16 This poetic passage severely criticizes idol worship and strongly affirms the unity and majesty of the one true God. It is neither a rational discussion of divinity in nature nor a carefully crafted statement about God’s attributes; rather, it is a poem about the foolishness of worshiping idols that the worshipers themselves have made, along with vigorous affirmations of faith that boldly declare who God is. 10:1 As usual, Jeremiah identified the source of his message and urged his audience not simply to hear , but to pay careful attention to the word of the Lord . In Hebrew thought, the person who does not respond has not truly heard.

Summary for Jer 10:1-25: 10:1-25 ^a This poetic passage has three parts. The first is a contrast between the Lord and pagan idols (10:1-16 ^b). The second is a two-part reflection on the destruction that lay ahead for the idol worshipers (10:17-18 ^c, 19-22 ^d). The third part is a prayer for God to act with restraint in the coming judgment and not to allow the pagan nations to go unpunished (10:23-25 ^e).
Summary for Jer 10:1-16: 10:1-16 ^f This poetic passage severely criticizes idol worship and strongly affirms the unity and majesty of the one true God. It is neither a rational discussion of divinity in nature nor a carefully crafted statement about God’s attributes; rather, it is a poem about the foolishness of worshiping idols that the worshipers themselves have made, along with vigorous affirmations of faith that boldly declare who God is. 10:1 ^g As usual, Jeremiah identified the source of his message and urged his audience not simply to hear, but to pay careful attention to the word of the Lord. In Hebrew thought, the person who does not respond has not truly heard.
10:2 ^h The Lord commanded Israel (particularly Judah, because it was all that remained of Israel) to act differently from other nations. He warned them to reject certain people, such as astrologers who claim to read their future in the stars.
10:3 ⁱ The stars are unable to predict anything—only the Lord knows the future.

• A wooden idol was carved from a tree; a craftsman carved the wood until it looked something like a creature that lives on earth (Isa 40:18-20 ^j; 44:9-20 ^k).
10:4 ^l The carved image possessed no beauty or value of its own. Humans had to apply gold and silver to make it look impressive (see 10:9 ^m). Similarly, the image had no strength to stand by itself. It had to be secured to a foundation with hammer and nails.
10:5 ⁿ Just as scarecrows in a garden can do nothing more than scare ignorant birds, idols are feared only by ignorant people.
10:6 ^o there is no one like you! See Isa 40:21-31 ^p; 44:5-8 ^q.
10:7 ^r The fear of the Lord is not craven terror, but profound reverence and submission to his discipline (Job 28:28 ^s; Ps 34:11-14 ^t; Prov 1:7 ^u). It results in contentment (Prov 10:23 ^v).

• King of nations: God is not limited to being the Lord of one small nation; his reign is worldwide. Jeremiah pointed out that no man-made deity could ever claim that title; not even wise people deserve such reverence.
10:9 ^w The people who created idols had to send far away for metal. They had to purchase silver from Tarshish on the southern tip of Spain. They had to buy gold from Uphaz (or Ophir) in Arabia. The skillful craftsmen and expert tailors put their best efforts into changing an otherwise worthless piece of wood or stone into an attractive artifact (see 10:4-5 ^x).
10:10 ^y Pagan deities are neither alive nor permanent. They can easily be destroyed or put in museums. Mythical stories about idols showed them engaging in all sorts of immoral conduct because the people who invented them wanted to justify their own immorality. The true God is holy and just and abhors immoral behavior.