Graven Image or Christmas Tree?

(This paper isn’t saying to have a Christmas tree. Its telling you that Jeremiah 10,  when used in correct exegetical context, cannot be what some claim they say it is. You judge yourself on if you should have a tree in your house or not, but don’t judge others on something when there is no scriptural backing.)

What are these verses talking about? A christmas tree or an idol/graven image? Context is crucial. Look at the pics below. I can suggest to you that Rev. 9 locusts is a blackhawk helicopter but most scholars will say they are in fact demons that come out of the abyss. 

The power of suggestion is a great influence on what people think and how they react. You can put a picture to any scripture and say this is what it’s taking about. That’s a dangerous way to interpret scripture. It’s no different than saying Jesus is a black man because the book of Revelation (1:15) says “And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters.” Then I show you a picture of black Jesus to prove it. 

Thats more along the lines of private interpretation and eisegesis. Very bad eisegesis at that. In a book of symbolism, its just not fair to base your black Jesus on one verse. If we do that then we better expect to see a seven headed dragon flying around with a giant whore sitting on it or two dudes shooting literal fire out of there mouth. Or what if someone says that Genesis said that all of the HERB was good and showed a picture of “jeaus” smoking weed. Would that make you feel better?

Do all of these work for you? I mean if some are going to completely butchee scripture, might as well let it work fur everyone right? So consider this. Forget about memes for a second. If I didn’t put a picture meme with these scriptures than you may not think that it means something in particular. Here is Jeremiah 10:1-5.

LXX (Greek)

 Hear ye the word of the Lord, which he has spoken to you, O house of Israel. Thus saith the Lord, Learn ye not the ways of the heathen, and be not alarmed at the signs of the sky; for they are alarmed at them, falling on their faces. For the customs of the nations are vain; it is a tree cut out of the forest, the work of the carpenter, or a molten image. They are beautified with silver and gold, they fix them with hammers and nails; they will set them up that they may not move; it is wrought silver, they will not walk, it is forged silver. They must certainly be borne, for they cannot ride of themselves. Fear them not; for they cannot do any evil, and there is no good in them.

Amplified (Word Study Translation)

Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel. Thus says the Lord, “Do not learn the way of the [pagan] nations, And do not be terrified and distressed by the signs of the heavens. Although the pagans are terrified by them; For the customs and decrees of the peoples are [mere] delusion [exercises in futility]; It is only wood which one cuts from the forest [to make a god], The work of the hands of the craftsman with the axe or cutting tool. “They adorn the idol with silver and with gold; They fasten it with hammers and nails. So that it will not fall apart. “They are like scarecrows in a cucumber field; They cannot speak; They have to be carried, Because they cannot walk! Do not be afraid of them, For they can do no harm or evil, Nor can they do any good.” There is none like You, O Lord; You are great, and great is Your mighty and powerful name.

KJV (Hebrew)

Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.

“Jeremiah 10:1-5. The first 16 verses of chapter 10 are parenthetical. Before continuing his discussion of the coming Exile, Jeremiah focused on the nature of the God who would bring this judgment. God addressed the entire house of Israel, which included the Northern Kingdom already in exile, and explained the foolishness of idols. Israel was not supposed to learn the ways of idolatry practiced by the nations around her, nor was she to be terrified by signs in the sky. These ”signs“ were most likely unusual occurrences such as eclipses or comets which were thought to be signs of coming events given by the gods.

Such idolatrous practices were worthless (heḇel, ”breath“; cf. comments on heḇel in Ecc. 1:2) because the ”gods“ being honored were created by their worshipers (cf. Isa. 40:18-20). A person would chop down a tree, give the wood to a craftsman who fashioned it to the desired shape. This ”god“ was then covered with silver and gold and fastened to a base so that it would not totter. Once the god was made by man it had to be carried to its destination. It was as lifeless as a scarecrow in a melon patch. Certainly such a ”god“ could not speak to impart knowledge to its followers. So God exhorted His people not to fear those false idols. The idols had no power to harm those who disregarded them or power to do any good for those who followed them.”

(Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. 1983-c1985. The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures. Victor Books: Wheaton, IL)

If you made it this far, I suggest you read Isaiah 44:12-29 to compare to Jeremiah 10:1-5. Read scripture in context and quit taking everyone’s word for it. Besides, ot says its like a palm tree so should we burn all palm trees down?