Jeremiah 8-10

Jeremiah 8

Bones of kings, priests, prophets exhumed.

• Spread before sun, moon, stars (their false gods).
• They worshiped the heavens and now their bones lie before them in shame.

God says:Even a bird knows its seasons but my people do not know my law.

• Creation obeys.
• Covenant people refuse

“How can you say, ‘We are wise’?”

• Scribes mishandled the law.
• Prophets say, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace 
• No shame

Repeated line:“They were not at all ashamed.”

Nothing Left to Harvest/spiritual barrenness.

• No grapes.
• No figs.
• Leaves withered.

Jeremiah breaks emotionally:“Is there no balm in Gilead?”

• Balm = healing medicine.
• No physician 
• No recovery 
• He mourns

Jeremiah 9

“Oh that my head were waters and my eyes a fountain of tears….”

• Jeremiah weeps for his people.

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• Everyone deceives.
• Tongues trained to lie.
• No trust 
• “They do not know me.”

God says He will refine His people, but also punish and avenge Himself.

Coming Judgment 

• Land becomes wasteland.
• Shepherdless flocks.
• Scattering among nations.
• See Deuteronomy 28- curses for disobedience

Professional mourners summoned- skillful wailing women 

• Eyelids gush with water, eyes run with tears 

“Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom…”
Instead boast in:

• Knowing the LORD
• That He practices steadfast love
• Justice
• Righteousness

Circumcised Yet Uncircumcised: Outward covenant sign means nothing without heart obedience.

• External religion ≠ internal loyalty.

Jeremiah 10
 The Living God vs. Dead Idols

Idols 

• Cut from forest.
• Decorated with gold.
• Nailed down so they don’t fall.

They cannot:

• Speak
• Walk
• Act
• They must be carried.

The LORD Is King “The LORD is the true God… the everlasting King.”

• Great in power.
• King of the nations.
• Maker of the earth.

10:11 Only Aramaic sentence in Jeremiah.

• Declares: False gods will perish.
• Likely intended for international audience.

God:

• Made earth by power.
• Established world by wisdom.
• Controls rain and wind.
• Idols are “delusion” again (hevel theme).

Jerusalem pictured packing belongings.

Jeremiah prays:“Correct me, O LORD, but in justice.”

• He asks for discipline, not annihilation.
• Ends with plea against the nations who devour Jacob.

Application

Jeremiah 8 shows us  a people who lose their ability to feel shame and refuse to return to God. Because of this they cannot find healing as God is the ultimate physician. Chapter 9 shows us that security is not tied to wisdom, strength or wealth but instead to God – how often does this apply to our lives? Lastly Jeremiah 10 talks about idols, which might seem outdated to us, but think of all the things we put on a pedestal above God. Where does our attention belong?