Our Living God Verses Lifeless Idols

O. T. #1750  "Our Living God Versus Lifeless Idols"
August 6, 2020
Jeremiah 10-Part 3

LET IT GLOW

Previously, we discussed that Jeremiah was making a contrast between the Living God and the lifeless idols in this chapter. We established that our God is great, true, living, everlasting, and Creator. (verse 10) There is none like our God!

What did Jeremiah think of those idol worshipers?

• The people who worship idols are stupid and foolish. The things they worship are made of wood!(verse 8)
• They spent time and energy, as well as their talents beating sheets of silver and gold into a worthless idol. (verse 9)
• The tailors wasted royal blue and purple material to make robes for useless idols.
• They were stupid because their graven images were only dead idols, having no breath in them nor any power. (verse 14)

Did you know that there was no idol worship mentioned in the Bible until after the Flood? Men were trying to build a way to heaven, so God changed their language into many languages so they could not communicated to complete the task. Idolatry began at Babel and continued in Babylon.
The first mention of idol worship (images) was when Rachel stole her father's idols to take with her to Jacob's home. (Genesis 31:19)

The word images refers to a family idol, in the Hebrew language, in which the O.T. is written.

In Exodus 20, God says to not have any other gods before Him, and to not make any graven images to bow down and serve. These are the first two of the Ten Commandments.
The word image, in verse 4, means resemblance, especially an idol.

What consumes our time? What are we pursuing? The kingdom of God is not riches and power, but godliness, like God. Are we seeking God and His righteousness first? When we do, He will take care of us.

LET IT GROW

Jeremiah ended his sermon with a prayer, found in verses 23-25. What does he pray about?

• Our lives are not our own.
• We are not able to plan our course. (verse 23)
• Gently correct him, not in anger, lest he die. (verse 24)
• Pour out Your wrath on the nations who refuse to acknowledge You and have consumed His people. (verse 25)

Jeremiah submitted to God's direction in his life, so God's agenda is Jeremiah's agenda. God is the Creator and we are the creature.

God's discipline is for our good, if we are willing to receive it. It may be painful. but for those who are trained by it, "It yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness" (Heb. 12:11). (Tony Evans)

We are not capable of adequately guiding our life. God had a plan for each of our lives before we were born (Jer, 1:5). Are we willing to follow God's will for us?

LET IT GO
Hang onto the God who never lets us down, never lets us go, and never leaves us.
Our world is not falling apart, it's falling into place.
He's on the throne; stop holding on.
Just be held by the Savior.