Jeremiah 10:1-5

The Voice

Circumcision is supposed to be a sign of God’s covenant with the people of Israel, but it has become a mark on the body that has little to no effect on how God’s people live. Now God speaks a rather shocking message. Judgment is coming on all nations—those inside and those outside the covenant—whose people are not distinguished by a mark that truly matters. God calls this judgment the circumcision of the heart—a strange phrase indeed. The difference is between the inside and the outside, the superficial and the real. God has had enough, the prophet says, of those who go through the motions, confident in their wisdom, strength, and wealth. God wants a people who are truly devoted to knowing and honoring Him.

10 This message is for all of Israel. Listen to what the Eternal is saying to you.

²Eternal One: Don’t learn the strange practices and beliefs of other nations.
    Don’t be terrified by signs in the sky
        just because the other nations are.
³    For their traditions and customs are useless; there is nothing to them.
    A tree is cut down in the forest;
        then an artisan takes out a tool and carves it into an image.
⁴    They dress it up with gold and silver to make it more impressive.
        Then they nail it down so it won’t fall over!
⁵    This is what they worship? The idol just stands there—
        lifeless, powerless like a scarecrow in a cucumber patch.
    It cannot speak. It cannot move. They must pick the thing up and bring it along.
        Do you see why there’s nothing to fear from these dead pieces of wood?
    They cannot harm you, and they cannot help you either.