Day 222 – Jeremiah 10-13

Talking Points

• God shows that following false gods is laughable. A god made of wood and metal cannot do anything. Instead of an object of power, worthy of worship, they are like “scarecrows in a cucumber field” (Jeremiah 10:3). There is no one or thing like the LORD our God!
• Notice that God continue reminds us of the importance of knowing His as Creator. His power, plan, and character are all tied to this truth. Christians must be sure that to deny this reality changes everything. Satan surely knows this! God says, “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens” (10:11). Any god that has a start will certainly have an end.
• When shepherds fail to seek the Lord, two things happen. First, they become stupid (10:21). The word means “senseless, dull-hearted, dumb.” The prophet’s wisdom must be God’s wisdom. Second, when prophets fail to seek the Lord, the people suffer. Human wisdom, logic, and leading go nowhere. People are harmed when removed from the truthful proclamation of God’s Word. We see, again, how gracious God is in sending true shepherds.
• God’s instruction to His people has consistently been, “Listen to My voice” (11:4).
• Jeremiah asks God a familiar question: Why does it seem the wicked prosper? It seems maybe our answer is not to be concerned with others, but to make sure that we can be comfortable with the fact that God knows us, sees us, and examines our hearts’ attitudes toward Him (12:3).

Thoughts

Some people balk when they hear that we should “fear” the LORD. Perhaps they picture an abusive, authoritative figure and think there is a call to be afraid of God. Maybe they are so moved by His great mercy, self-sacrificial love, and welcomed patience, they can’t even entertain the idea of fearing Him. But, when we really understand what the word “fear” means, and when we know who God is, it’s easy to embrace the command.

I love the way that Jeremiah puts it in his response to God’s exhortation to see the absurdity in idolatry. He says, “Who would not fear You, O King of the nation? Indeed it is Your due!” (10:7). The word for fear means “to revere, to honor, to respect, to be in awe of or astonished by.”

In its context, here, God says because He has no maker, we are to be in awe of Him. Because He needs no one and nothing, He is astonishing. Because He is able and He is good, we can respect Him. Because He is “the true God…the living God and the everlasting King,” He is to be revered (10:10). He is the Creator; He is powerful; He is wise. Because of all of that and so much more, God is worthy of our fear. Who would not fear Him? It is His due. It is befitting of Him. He is worthy of it.