For a full description of the (Y3) reading plan, see the “About” page.
- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Jer. 10
Jeremiah 10:3a says, “…for the customs of the peoples are worthless.” That word, “worthless” is the Hebrew word, “hevel” – the same word used in Ecclesiastes. The word indicates a lack of substance and meaning. The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that there is nothing of any real substance under the sun; that is, apart from God. Yet people continue to look for and think they see it.
This chapter once again reiterates the truth that only God is God. There is no other. And it says, “Who should not fear you, King of the nations? It is what you deserve.” (Jer. 10:7a). If we believe what this chapter says about God, how can we not fear Him? The only way that we don’t fear God is if we defiantly reject the truth of who He is. Not wise! Our rejection of truth doesn’t make it any less true. Which makes such rejection hevel – worthless vanity with no meaningful substance.
Jer. 11
Throughout His declarations of desolation for His people, God continually declares His love for them. He takes no pleasure in the death that people choose for themselves. Yet people think that God is harsh and cruel. I think His question in Jeremiah 11:15 puts things into a fair perspective. “What right does my beloved have to be in my house, having carried out so many evil schemes?” Who of us would continue to keep and love someone who had no love or regard for us? Most of us, if hurt by our beloved’s unfaithfulness, would harshly kick them to the curb.
I suppose in a way that is exactly what God did. However, His reasons for doing it were not like our own. We want to protect ourselves, get revenge, cause pain for pain. But God? He did it because He wanted restoration. We all need to know that nothing can replace God and nothing can protect us from Him except His own love.
Jer. 12
God set Israel apart as His chosen nation. However, He is not preferential to them. He requires the same thing of every nation. And the cycle He put His people through is the same that he does with the other nations. He uproots them, has compassion on them, and restores them. And He says, “If they will diligently learn the ways of my people – to swear by my name, ‘As the LORD lives’, just as they taught my people to swear by Baal – they will be built up among my people.” (Jer. 12:16). God is not exclusive to the Jews. He is the God of all of us.
Jer. 13
I keep noting that God brought destruction in order to bring restoration. I see more confirmation of that here. The people are not the target of God’s destruction. Their pride is. He says, “Listen and pay attention. Do not be proud, for the LORD has spoken… But if you will not listen, my innermost being will weep in secret because of your pride.” (Jer. 13:15, 17a). Our pride is the refusal to acknowledge that God alone is God, that we need Him, and that He loves us with an irreplaceable love. It is what keeps us from seeing ourselves and God for what we are, resulting in our unnecessary death.