Jeremiah 10

Jeremiah 10:17-22

Bring all your goods out of the country, where they are exposed to plunder, into the strong holds; for quickly will I, in a furious manner, drive out the inhabitants of this land by death and captivity. Alas! almost insupportable is my grief, that the whole Jewish church and nation should be quite unhinged, and none able in the least to help them! The rulers of both are ignorant and wicked; therefore shall they and their people be ruined or dispersed. For, behold, the Chaldean army cometh, with great noise and fury, to render Judea utterly desolate!

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. X.—Amazing absurdities often prevail even among nations which are famed for worldly wisdom and knowledge. And it is very unreasonable and dangerous for those who have been taught of God to learn the ways of heathens. God’s eternal power and Godhead are so manifest as to leave the most stupid idolaters without excuse; and, the more we contemplate his unsearchable greatness and glory, the more we shall be filled with reverence and godly fear, and lost in admiration. If he be our King, let us shew ourselves faithful subjects, dependent on his protection, and devoted to his service. If he be our Portion, we can wish nothing beyond him. But often men remain ignorant of his excellency, and of the vanity of idols, till it be too late, and till his word be verified in their irrevocable and tremendous destruction. Terrible is the prospect when both rulers and ruled are plunged in ignorance, and abandoned to atheistical neglect of prayer. Neglect of God’s worship in families ranks men with heathens, and entails his curse upon them. But great is the mercy that, though God correct, yet he will not destroy his people; and that, though we may not pray against corrections, we may pray for the mitigation of them, and hope that the rod will be quickly turned against our enemies. 4