Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them. Every man is senseless and without knowledgeThe Hebrew word for "senseless" is "בַּעַר" (ba'ar), which conveys a sense of brutishness or foolishness. This term is often used in the Old Testament to describe a lack of spiritual insight or understanding. In the context of Jeremiah, it underscores the folly of idolatry, highlighting that those who turn away from the living God to worship idols are devoid of true wisdom. The phrase "without knowledge" further emphasizes this point, as "דַּעַת" (da'at) in Hebrew refers to a deep, experiential understanding, particularly of God and His ways. The verse calls believers to seek divine wisdom and understanding, which are found in a relationship with God, rather than in the empty practices of idolatry. every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols
The "goldsmith" here represents those who craft idols, skilled artisans who create objects of worship. The Hebrew word "חָרָשׁ" (charash) can mean craftsman or artisan, indicating someone with expertise and skill. However, despite their craftsmanship, these goldsmiths are "put to shame" because their creations are powerless and lifeless. The shame comes from the realization that their work, which they might take pride in, is ultimately futile and deceptive. This serves as a powerful reminder that human efforts, no matter how skillful, are worthless when they are not aligned with God's truth and purpose. For his molten images are a fraud
The term "molten images" refers to idols cast from metal, often gold or silver. The Hebrew word "נֶסֶךְ" (nesek) implies something poured or cast, indicating the process of creating these idols. The word "fraud" translates from "שֶׁקֶר" (sheker), meaning falsehood or deception. This highlights the deceptive nature of idols, which promise power or protection but deliver nothing. The verse exposes the emptiness of idolatry, urging believers to recognize the truth and reject falsehood. It calls for discernment and a commitment to worship the one true God, who alone is worthy of devotion. there is no breath in them
The phrase "no breath" uses the Hebrew word "רוּחַ" (ruach), which can mean breath, spirit, or wind. In the biblical context, "breath" often signifies life, as seen in Genesis when God breathes life into Adam. By stating that there is no breath in idols, the verse underscores their lifelessness and inability to impart life or spirit. Unlike the living God, who is the source of all life, idols are inert and powerless. This serves as a stark contrast between the living God and the dead idols, encouraging believers to place their trust in God, who is active and life-giving, rather than in lifeless objects. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet in the Old Testament, called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, often warned by prophets like Jeremiah about their idolatry and disobedience to God. 3. GoldsmithsCraftsmen who create idols from precious metals, representing those who make and worship false gods. 4. IdolsObjects of worship made by human hands, often critiqued in the Bible for their inability to provide true spiritual guidance or power. 5. Babylonian ExileThe context of Jeremiah's prophecies, where the people of Judah were warned of impending judgment and exile due to their idolatry. Teaching Points The Folly of IdolatryIdolatry is senseless because it places trust in lifeless objects rather than the living God. We must examine our lives for modern forms of idolatry, such as materialism or status. True Knowledge Comes from GodHuman wisdom and knowledge are limited without the revelation of God. We should seek understanding through Scripture and prayer. The Shame of False WorshipJust as goldsmiths are put to shame by their idols, we too will find disappointment in anything we place above God. Our worship should be directed solely to Him. The Breath of LifeUnlike idols, God is the source of life and breath. We should rely on Him for our spiritual vitality and direction. The Call to RepentanceJeremiah's message is a call to turn away from false gods and return to the true God. We are invited to repent and renew our commitment to God daily. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some modern-day "idols" that people might unknowingly worship, and how can we guard against them? 2. How does understanding the lifelessness of idols help us appreciate the living nature of God? 3. In what ways can we seek true knowledge and wisdom from God in our daily lives? 4. How can we apply the message of Jeremiah 10:14 to our personal worship practices? 5. What steps can we take to ensure that our trust and hope are placed in God rather than in man-made solutions or objects? Connections to Other Scriptures Isaiah 44:9-20This passage also critiques the folly of idol-making, emphasizing the senselessness of worshiping man-made objects. Psalm 115:4-8Highlights the lifelessness of idols and contrasts them with the living God, similar to Jeremiah's message. Romans 1:21-23Paul speaks of humanity's tendency to exchange the glory of God for images, echoing the themes of idolatry and senselessness found in Jeremiah. Habakkuk 2:18-19Questions the value of idols and the foolishness of trusting in them, reinforcing Jeremiah's critique. 1 Corinthians 8:4-6Discusses the reality that idols are nothing and that there is only one true God, aligning with Jeremiah's message. People Jacob, Jeremiah, TarshishPlaces Tarshish, Uphaz, ZionTopics Beast, Becomes, Bereft, Breath, Brutish, Confounded, Deceit, Deceitful, Devoid, Disappointed, Engraved, Falsehood, Founder, Fraud, Goldsmith, Gold-worker, Graven, Idols, Image, Images, Metal, Molten, Proved, Refiner, Shame, Shamed, StupidDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 10:14 8760 fools, characteristics
8771 idolatry, objections Jeremiah 10:14-15 4345 metalworkers
5864 futility
5973 unreliability Jeremiah 10:14-16 8782 mockery 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 10:14 NIVJeremiah 10:14 NLTJeremiah 10:14 ESVJeremiah 10:14 NASBJeremiah 10:14 KJV
Jeremiah 10:14 Commentaries
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