Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz--the work of a craftsman from the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothes are blue and purple, all fashioned by skilled workers. Hammered silverThe phrase "hammered silver" refers to the process of refining and shaping silver into desired forms, often used in idol-making. In the Hebrew context, the word for "hammered" (Hebrew: רָקַע, raqa) implies a process of beating or spreading out, indicating the laborious effort put into creating these objects. This highlights the futility of idol worship, as these idols are mere human creations, lacking divine power or life. is brought from Tarshish
Tarshish is often identified with a distant maritime location, possibly in the western Mediterranean, such as modern-day Spain. The mention of Tarshish emphasizes the extensive trade networks and the lengths to which people would go to acquire materials for idol-making. This underscores the misplaced priorities of investing in material wealth and foreign imports for the purpose of idolatry, rather than seeking the true God. and gold from Uphaz
Uphaz is a location mentioned in the Bible, though its exact identification is uncertain. It is often associated with regions known for their fine gold. The use of gold, a symbol of wealth and purity, in idol-making further illustrates the irony of using valuable resources to create lifeless objects. This serves as a critique of the misplaced value and trust in material possessions over spiritual truth. the work of a craftsman
The term "craftsman" (Hebrew: חָרָשׁ, charash) refers to a skilled artisan or worker. This highlights the human effort and skill involved in creating idols, contrasting with the divine creation of the world by God. It serves as a reminder that idols are the product of human hands, lacking the divine essence and power of the Creator. and of the hands of a goldsmith
The "goldsmith" (Hebrew: צוֹרֵף, tsoreph) is a specialist in working with precious metals. This phrase emphasizes the human origin of idols, crafted with precision and artistry, yet ultimately powerless. It challenges the belief that beauty or craftsmanship can imbue an object with divine attributes, pointing instead to the Creator as the true source of beauty and power. Their clothing is blue and purple
Blue and purple dyes were expensive and often associated with royalty and wealth in ancient times. The use of such colors for idol clothing signifies the attempt to bestow honor and majesty upon these objects. However, this external adornment cannot compensate for the inherent lifelessness and impotence of idols, contrasting with the true majesty and sovereignty of God. all fashioned by skilled workers
The phrase "fashioned by skilled workers" reiterates the human origin of idols. Despite the skill and artistry involved, these creations remain mere objects, devoid of life or divine presence. This serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of idol worship and the need to seek the living God, who is the true source of life and power. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his prophecies concerning the judgment of Judah and the coming of a new covenant. 2. TarshishA distant trading partner known for its wealth and resources, often associated with maritime trade and exotic goods. 3. UphazA location mentioned in the Bible, possibly a region known for its fine gold, though its exact historical location is uncertain. 4. Craftsman and GoldsmithSkilled workers who create idols and ornate objects, representing human effort in crafting false gods. 5. Blue and Purple ClothingColors often associated with royalty and wealth, indicating the high value and allure of the idols. Teaching Points The Futility of IdolatryDespite their beauty and craftsmanship, idols are powerless. They are the work of human hands and cannot compare to the living God. The Allure of Material WealthThe mention of silver, gold, and luxurious colors serves as a warning against the temptation to prioritize material wealth over spiritual truth. The Deception of AppearancesJust as the idols are adorned with precious materials, sin often appears attractive but ultimately leads to emptiness. The Call to Worship the True GodBelievers are reminded to worship God in spirit and truth, recognizing His sovereignty over all creation. The Role of Skilled WorkWhile craftsmanship is valuable, it should be used to honor God, not to create objects of false worship. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the description of idols in Jeremiah 10:9 challenge our understanding of what is truly valuable in life? 2. In what ways can the allure of material wealth distract us from our relationship with God, and how can we guard against this? 3. How do the colors blue and purple, used in both idol worship and priestly garments, illustrate the difference between true and false worship? 4. What are some modern-day "idols" that people might be tempted to worship, and how can we apply Jeremiah's message to avoid them? 5. How can we use our skills and talents to honor God, rather than creating "idols" in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 46:6-7This passage also discusses the futility of idols made from precious metals, emphasizing their inability to save or respond. 1 Kings 10:22Describes the wealth of Solomon, including goods from Tarshish, highlighting the opulence and allure of foreign treasures. Exodus 28:5-6Details the use of blue and purple in the priestly garments, contrasting the sacred use of these colors with their use in idol worship. People Jacob, Jeremiah, TarshishPlaces Tarshish, Uphaz, ZionTopics Artificer, Beaten, Blue, Clothing, Craftsman, Dressed, Gold, Goldsmith, Hands, Plates, Purple, Silver, Skilled, Skillful, Tarshish, Uphaz, WorkersDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 10:9 4333 gold
5212 arts and crafts
5531 skill
5583 tools
8365 wisdom, human Jeremiah 10:3-10 5272 craftsmen
8771 idolatry, objections Jeremiah 10:8-9 4363 silver Jeremiah 10:8-10 4345 metalworkers Library May 16. "It is not in Man that Walketh to Direct his Steps" (Jer. x. 23).
"It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps" (Jer. x. 23). United to Jesus Christ as your Redeemer, you are accepted in the Beloved. He does not merely take my place as a man and settle my debts. He does that and more. He comes to give a perfect ideal of what a man should be. He is the model man, not for us to copy, for that would only bring discouragement and utter failure; but He will come and copy Himself in us. If Christ lives in me, I am another Christ. I am not like Him, but I have the …
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth Possessing and Possessed
'The portion of Jacob is not like them--for He is the former of all things: and Israel is the tribe of His inheritance. The Lord of Hosts is His name.'--JER. x. 16, R.V. Here we have set forth a reciprocal possession. We possess God, He possesses us. We are His inheritance, He is our portion. I am His; He is mine. This mutual ownership is the very living centre of all religion. Without it there is no relation of any depth between God and us. How much profounder such a conception is than the shallow …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture An Instructive Truth
"O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."--Jeremiah 10:23. This declaration follows after Jeremiah's lamentation over the Lord's ancient people, who were about to be carried captive into Babylon. The prophet speaks of a fact that was well known to him. It is always well, brethren, to know the truth, and to know it so certainly that you are able to remember it just when you most need it. There are some people, who are very much like …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 50: 1904 Dwight -- the Sovereignty of God
Timothy Dwight was born at Northampton, Massachusetts, in 1752. He graduated from Yale in 1769, served as chaplain in the army during the Revolutionary War and was chosen president of his university in 1795. He died, after holding that office for twelve years, in 1817. Lyman Beecher, who attributed his conversion to him, says: "He was of noble form, with a noble head and body, and had one of the sweetest smiles that ever you saw. When I heard him preach on 'the harvest is passed, the summer is ended, …
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 3 Of the Exercises of a Religious Man
The life of a Christian ought to be adorned with all virtues, that he may be inwardly what he outwardly appeareth unto men. And verily it should be yet better within than without, for God is a discerner of our heart, Whom we must reverence with all our hearts wheresoever we are, and walk pure in His presence as do the angels. We ought daily to renew our vows, and to kindle our hearts to zeal, as if each day were the first day of our conversion, and to say, "Help me, O God, in my good resolutions, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Of Hiding Our Grace under the Guard of Humility
"My Son, it is better and safer for thee to hide the grace of devotion, and not to lift thyself up on high, nor to speak much thereof, nor to value it greatly; but rather to despise thyself, and to fear as though this grace were given to one unworthy thereof. Nor must thou depend too much upon this feeling, for it can very quickly be turned into its opposite. Think when thou art in a state of grace how miserable and poor thou art wont to be without grace. Nor is there advance in spiritual life …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ A Wise Desire
I remember once going to a chapel where this happened to be the text, and the good man who occupied the pulpit was more than a little of an Arminian. Therefore, when he commenced, he said, "This passage refers entirely to our temporal inheritance. It has nothing whatever to do with our everlasting destiny: for," said he, "We do not want Christ to choose for us in the matter of heaven or hell. It is so plain and easy that every man who has a grain of common sense will choose heaven; and any person …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855 "And Hereby we do Know that we Know Him, if we Keep his Commandments. "
1 John ii. 3.--"And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." This age pretends to much knowledge beyond former ages, knowledge, I say, not only in other natural arts and sciences, but especially in religion. Whether there be any great advancement in other knowledge, and improvement of that which was, to a further extent and clearness, I cannot judge, but I believe there is not much of it in this nation, nor do we so much pretend to it. But, we talk of the enlargements of …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning "Hear the Word of the Lord, Ye Rulers of Sodom, Give Ear unto the Law of Our God, Ye People of Gomorrah,"
Isaiah i. 10, 11, &c.--"Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom, give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah," &c. It is strange to think what mercy is mixed with the most wrath like strokes and threatenings. There is no prophet whose office and commission is only for judgment, nay, to speak the truth, it is mercy that premises threatenings. The entering of the law, both in the commands and curses, is to make sin abound, that grace may superabound, so that both rods and threatenings …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life Meditations for Household Piety.
1. If thou be called to the government of a family, thou must not hold it sufficient to serve God and live uprightly in thy own person, unless thou cause all under thy charge to do the same with thee. For the performance of this duty God was so well pleased with Abraham, that he would not hide from him his counsel: "For," saith God, "I know him that he will command his sons and his household after him that they keep the way of the Lord, to do righteousness and judgment, that the Lord may bring upon …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety "For if Ye Live after the Flesh, Ye Shall Die; but if Ye through the Spirit do Mortify the Deeds of the Body, Ye Shall Live.
Rom. viii. s 13, 14.--"For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." The life and being of many things consists in union,--separate them, and they remain not the same, or they lose their virtue. It is much more thus in Christianity, the power and life of it consists in the union of these things that God hath conjoined, so that if any man pretend to …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The Creation
Q-7: WHAT ARE THE DECREES OF GOD? A: The decrees of God are his eternal purpose, according to the counsel of his will, whereby, for his own glory, he has foreordained whatsoever shall come to pass. I have already spoken something concerning the decrees of God under the attribute of his immutability. God is unchangeable in his essence, and he-is unchangeable in his decrees; his counsel shall stand. He decrees the issue of all things, and carries them on to their accomplishment by his providence; I …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity God's Sovereignty and Prayer
"If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us" (1 John 5:14). Throughout this book it has been our chief aim to exalt the Creator and abase the creature. The well-nigh universal tendency now, is to magnify man and dishonour and degrade God. On every hand it will be found that, when spiritual things are under discussion, the human side and element is pressed and stressed, and the Divine side, if not altogether ignored, is relegated to the background. This holds true of very much of the …
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 10:9 NIVJeremiah 10:9 NLTJeremiah 10:9 ESVJeremiah 10:9 NASBJeremiah 10:9 KJV
Jeremiah 10:9 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
