It's natural for us to imitate the people around us and absorb their ways of thinking. But the Bible teaches us not to conform to the pattern of this world (1; Romans 12:1). This passage shows us that the business of the world is to create and worship idols. An idol is anything we strive after to satisfy our souls apart from God himself. Following idols makes us fools (8).

The people of the world make good money by creating, advertising, and selling idols, and they are very skilled at it (9). However, despite people's best efforts, they are inwardly shamed because what they produce corrupts the world and is not worthy of worship (14). God's people should choose their careers very carefully so they are not ashamed of what they produce or live for.

Idols cannot be compared to God, who created everything. He is truly worthy of worship because he is so high and holy above us (12-13). Even when we are suffering and feel that our wounds are incurable, we can put our trust in God who is our Portion (16) and who directs our life and disciplines us for our good (19, 23-24).


Application: Father, thank you for Jeremiah's words that warn me not to follow the idolatrous pattern of this world. Help me live only to worship you.
One Word: Creator God, not idols