Read & explore together
The Sovereignty of God
Jeremiah 10:1–16 calls Israel to listen to Yahweh instead of copying the nations. The passage contrasts powerless idols, shaped and decorated by human hands, with Yahweh, the true and living God, whose power is seen in creation.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This prophecy and teaching is addressed to the house of Israel. It begins with a warning not to learn the nations’ ways or fear signs in the sky. It then describes idols as human-made objects, before declaring Yahweh’s unmatched greatness, kingship, power over creation, and his identity as the Maker of all things.
Jeremiah 10:1–16Main takeaway
This passage teaches that human-made idols are empty and powerless, but Yahweh alone is the true, living, everlasting King and Maker of all things.
Explore the message
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Hear Yahweh and reject fearful copyingThe message begins with a call for the house of Israel to hear Yahweh’s word. They must not learn the way of the nations or be dismayed at signs of the sky.
Explanation
The message begins with a call for the house of Israel to hear Yahweh’s word. They must not learn the way of the nations or be dismayed at signs of the sky. The passage does not praise such fear. It warns Israel not to follow it.
02Idols are made, fixed, and carriedThe nations’ customs are called vanity. Jeremiah describes a tree cut from the forest and worked by a craftsman.
Explanation
The nations’ customs are called vanity. Jeremiah describes a tree cut from the forest and worked by a craftsman. It is decorated with silver and gold, then fastened with nails and hammers so it will not move. These idols cannot speak and must be carried, so Israel must not fear them.
03Skilled work cannot make a godThe passage continues the same contrast by saying idol-teachers are dealing with wood. Imported silver and gold are added, and costly blue and purple clothing is placed on the image.
Explanation
The passage continues the same contrast by saying idol-teachers are dealing with wood. Imported silver and gold are added, and costly blue and purple clothing is placed on the image. Yet all of this remains the work of engravers, goldsmiths, and other skilful human hands.
04Yahweh alone is great and livingUnlike idols, Yahweh has no equal. His name is great in might, and he is called King of the nations.
Explanation
Unlike idols, Yahweh has no equal. His name is great in might, and he is called King of the nations. The passage says he is the true God, the living God, and an everlasting King. At his wrath the earth trembles, and the nations cannot withstand his indignation.
05The Maker of all thingsThe false gods did not make the heavens and the earth, and they will perish. By contrast, God made the earth by his power, wisdom, and understanding.
Explanation
The false gods did not make the heavens and the earth, and they will perish. By contrast, God made the earth by his power, wisdom, and understanding. He commands waters, vapours, lightning, and wind. Images are falsehood, with no breath, but Jacob’s portion is Yahweh of Armies, the Maker of all things.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What two things are Israel told not to do in the opening of the passage?
Look closely at the commands about learning the nations’ way and reacting to signs of the sky.
02Which details show that idols depend completely on human skill and effort?
Notice the tree being cut, the image being decorated and fastened, and the metals and clothing added by craftsmen.
03How does this passage describe Yahweh as different from idols?
Gather the titles given to Yahweh and the actions only he performs in creation and rule.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Jeremiah 10:1–16
1Hear the word which Yahweh speaks to you, house of Israel!
2Yahweh says, “Don’t learn the way of the nations, and don’t be dismayed at the signs of the sky; for the nations are dismayed at them.
3For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the ax.
4They deck it with silver and with gold. They fasten it with nails and with hammers, so that it can’t move.
5They are like a palm tree, of turned work, and don’t speak. They must be carried, because they can’t move. Don’t be afraid of them; for they can’t do evil, neither is it in them to do good.”
6There is no one like you, Yahweh. You are great, and your name is great in might.
7Who shouldn’t fear you, King of the nations? For it belongs to you. Because among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their royal estate, there is no one like you.
8But they are together brutish and foolish, instructed by idols! It is just wood.
9There is silver beaten into plates, which is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz, the work of the engraver and of the hands of the goldsmith. Their clothing is blue and purple. They are all the work of skillful men.
10But Yahweh is the true God. He is the living God, and an everlasting King. At his wrath, the earth trembles. The nations aren’t able to withstand his indignation.
11“You shall say this to them: ‘The gods that have not made the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth, and from under the heavens.’ ”
12God has made the earth by his power. He has established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding has he stretched out the heavens.
13When he utters his voice, the waters in the heavens roar, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain, and brings the wind out of his treasuries.
14Every man has become brutish and without knowledge. Every goldsmith is disappointed by his engraved image; for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.
15They are vanity, a work of delusion. In the time of their visitation they will perish.
16The portion of Jacob is not like these; for he is the maker of all things; and Israel is the tribe of his inheritance. Yahweh of Armies is his name.