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Jeremiah

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Jeremiah 10

1Hear ye the word which Jehovah speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

1Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel:

Commentary · verse 1

Although this was directed towards the "house of Israel," Jeremiah was speaking specifically to Judah since it had been more than ninety-three years since the ten tribes of Israel were destroyed/taken captive.

2thus saith Jehovah, Learn not the way of the nations, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the nations are dismayed at them.

3For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe.

4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5They are like a palm-tree, of turned work, and speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good.

2Thus 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.

3For 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.

4They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

5They 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.

Commentary · verses 2-5

The customs (traditions) of man were unprofitable. The idols being worshipped were made by the hands of men. Even though these idols were great in appearance, they were unable to do good: Right and Just.

6There is none like unto thee, O Jehovah; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

7Who should not fear thee, O King of the nations? for to thee doth it appertain; forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is none like unto thee.

8But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock.

6Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

7Who 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.

8But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.

Commentary · verses 6-8

Jehovah was great and mighty but the idols were brutish (stupid) and foolish (without understanding). The instruction of these idols was unprofitable, they were made of trees.

9There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the artificer and of the hands of the goldsmith; blue and purple for their clothing; they are all the work of skilful men.

10But Jehovah is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King: at his wrath the earth trembleth, and the nations are not able to abide his indignation.

9Silver 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.

10But 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.

Commentary · verses 9-10

Jehovah was the true, living, and everlasting God. Idols were short term and the work of man's hands.

11Thus shall ye say unto them, The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth, these shall perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.

12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding hath he stretched out the heavens.

11Thus 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.

12He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

Commentary · verses 11-12

God used His power, wisdom (Right HOW), and understanding (Right WHY) when He created the heavens and the earth.

13When he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.

14Every man is become brutish and is without knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his graven image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.

13When 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.

14Every 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.

Commentary · verses 13-14

The context of verse 14 was specific to idols and the men who made them.

15They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

15They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.

Commentary · verse 15

The idols were unprofitable and the work of delusion. The word "delusion" came from the root word that meant "to deceive, to misuse."

16The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance: Jehovah of hosts is his name.

17Gather up thy wares out of the land, O thou that abidest in the siege.

16The 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.

17Gather up thy wares out of the land, O inhabitant of the fortress.

Commentary · verses 16-17

The people were told to gather what they could in preparation for the exile.

18For thus saith Jehovah, Behold, I will sling out the inhabitants of the land at this time, and will distress them, that they may feel it.

19Woe is me because of my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is my grief, and I must bear it.

18For 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.

19Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is a grief, and I must bear it.

Commentary · verses 18-19

Jeremiah felt compassion on Judah because of God's Words from verse 18.

20My tent is destroyed, and all my cords are broken: my children are gone forth from me, and they are not: there is none to spread my tent any more, and to set up my curtains.

21For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of Jehovah: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered.

20My 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.

21For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.

Commentary · verses 20-21

The shepherds (pastors) of God's people had become brutish (stupid). They were not taking direction from God and the result was they did not prosper and their flocks (the Jews) were scattered.

22The voice of tidings, behold, it cometh, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah a desolation, a dwelling-place of jackals.

23O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

24O Jehovah, correct me, but in measure; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

22Behold, 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.

23O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.

24O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.

Commentary · verses 22-24

Jeremiah was asking for God to correct him, not all at once but in measure (with Justice). Jeremiah knew if God showed him everything he needed to grow in, it would cause Jeremiah to be brought to nothing.

25Pour out thy wrath upon the nations that know thee not, and upon the families that call not on thy name; for they have devoured Jacob, yea, they have devoured him and consumed him, and have laid waste his habitation.

25Pour 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.

Commentary · verse 25

Jeremiah asked for judgment on Israel's enemies after these enemies had served God's purpose to punish Israel.

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