Matthew Henry Commentary Jeremiah 10

Matthew Henry Commentary

Jeremiah 10

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Matthew Henry
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry Commentary

Jeremiah 10

1662–1714
Presbyterian
Verses 1-16

"Hear ye the word which Jehovah speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: thus 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. For 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. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They 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. There is none like unto thee, O Jehovah; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who 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. But they are together brutish and foolish: the instruction of idols! it is but a stock. There 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. But 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. Thus 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. He 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: when 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. Every 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. They are vanity, a work of delusion: in the time of their visitation they shall perish. The 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." — Jeremiah 10:1-16 (ASV)

The prophet shows the glory of Israel's God, and exposes the foolishness of idolaters. Charms and other attempts to obtain supernatural help, or to pry into the future, are copied from the wicked customs of the pagans. Let us stand in awe, and not dare provoke God, by giving that glory to another which is due to him alone. He is ready to forgive and save all who repent and believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ. Faith learns these blessed truths from the word of God; but all knowledge not from that source leads to vain doctrines.

Verses 17-25

"Gather up thy wares out of the land, O thou that abidest in the siege. For 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]. Woe is me because of my hurt! my wound is grievous: but I said, Truly this is [my] grief, and I must bear it. My 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. For the shepherds are become brutish, and have not inquired of Jehovah: therefore they have not prospered, and all their flocks are scattered. The 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. O Jehovah, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. O Jehovah, correct me, but in measure: not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing. Pour 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." — Jeremiah 10:17-25 (ASV)

The Jews who continued in their own land felt secure. But, sooner or later, sinners will find all things as the word of God has declared, and that its threats are not empty terrors. Submission will support the believer under every grief allotted to him; but what can make the load of Divine vengeance bearable for those who fall under it in sullen despair? Those cannot expect to prosper who do not, by faith and prayer, take God with them in all their ways.

The report of the enemy's approach was very dreadful. Yet the designs which men lay deep, and consider well-formed, are dashed to pieces in a moment. Events are often overruled, turning out quite contrary to what we intended and expected. If the Lord has directed our steps into the ways of peace and righteousness, let us entreat Him to enable us to walk in them.

Do not say, "Lord, do not correct me"; but, "Lord, do not correct me in anger." We may bear the pain of God's rod, but we cannot bear the weight of His wrath. Those who restrain prayer prove that they do not know God; for those who know Him will seek Him, and seek His favour. If even severe corrections lead sinners to be convinced of wholesome truths, they will have abundant cause for gratitude.

And they will then humble themselves before the Lord.

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