Outline
“The Lord > Idols” (Jeremiah 10:1-25)

Intro/Set-up
Review from Jeremiah 9:12-26
Setting Up Jeremiah 10 (Looking Toward the Future)

I. The Status of the Lord (vv. 6-16)
- Jeremiah Observes (vv. 6-10)
- Repeat back to them… (v. 11)
- The Living God is not like an idol (vv. 12-16)

II. The Status of the People (vv. 17-22)
- Thrown out & Displaced (vv. 17-20)
- Mislead & Overrun (vv. 21-22)

III. The Status of Jeremiah (vv. 23-25)
- Humility and Contemplation
- Prayer and Petition

IV. Conclusion
- Authority over Conformity

“Men make idols. Jehovah makes men.” –G. Campbell Morgan

“Jeremiah 10:11 may have been a popular anti-idolatry proverb or saying of that time, quoted in Aramaic. It is the only verse in Jeremiah in Aramaic” –David Guzik

“In thinking of the despair of Judah under the Babylonian invasion, Jeremiah also considered a significant part of the cause. The leaders of Judah — both spiritual and political — did not seek the LORD… The unfaithfulness of the shepherds meant trouble for them, and for the people they were supposed to faithfully lead. No one would benefit from their dull-hearted, detachment from the LORD’s leadership.” –David Guzik


“A nation went into captivity because its leaders forsook the true and living God.” –Warren Wiersbe

“The prophet here acknowledges the sovereignty and dominion of the divine Providence, that by it, and not by their own will and wisdom, the affairs both of nations and particular persons are directed and determined,” –Matthew Henry

“O Lord, correct me, but with judgment (in measure and with moderation, and in wisdom, no more than is necessary for driving out of the foolishness that is bound up in our hearts), not in thy anger (how severe soever the correction be, let it come from thy love, and be designed for our good and made to work for good), not to bring us to nothing, but to bring us home to thyself. Let it not be according to the desert of our sins, but according to the design of thy grace.” –Matthew Henry

“This was Jeremiah’s consolation, ‘I do not know what Nebuchadnezzar may do; but I do know that “the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.” I know that, in God’s eternal purposes, every step of Judah’s way is mapped out, and he will make it all work for his own glory and the good of his chosen people in the end.’” –Charles Spurgeon

“Why did so easy a target as idolatry need so many attacks in the Old Testament? Jeremiah 10:9 suggests one reason: the appeal of the visually impressive; but perhaps verse 2 goes deeper, in pointing to the temptation to fall into step with the majority.” –Derek Kidner


“The remedy for idolatry is for us to get caught up in the majesty and grandeur of God, the true God, the living God, the everlasting King. An idol is a substitute, and you would never want a substitute once you have experienced the love and power of the Lord God Almighty.” –Warren Wiersbe

Jeremiah Resources:

Jeremiah Summary (GotQuestions.org):
https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Jeremiah.html

Jeremiah Overview (The Bible Project):
https://youtu.be/RSK36cHbrk0?si=8B_qBCTeUrqHcvfI

Recommended Reading:

"The Awe of God" (Author: John Bevere)
https://a.co/d/aYj3Ver

Charles Spurgeon sermon from Jeremiah Chapter 3:
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/spurgeon_charles/sermons/0762.cfm

Additional Resources:

Adrian Rogers Article: “Righteousness Exalts A Nation”
https://www.westernjournal.com/rogers-hamilton-right-people-government-deserve/

GotQuestions Article(s):

"What is the definition of Idolatry?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/idolatry-definition.html

"What are Some Modern Forms of Idolatry?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/idolatry-modern.html

"What Does it Mean that God is Great?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/God-is-great.html

"What Does it Mean that God is the Creator?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/Creator-God.html

"What is Divine Providence?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/divine-providence.html