Jeremiah 10:23-25 - The people's lives are not their own

10:23-25

Jeremiah then prays to the Lord. This prayer is repeated in Psalm 79:6,7. “It is not for them to direct their steps”. The mantra of the people then, and of the people today, is to “it’s my choice”. Man seeks human autonomy. The truth is we have no autonomy, but we do have responsibility, and there is a fundamental difference. Autonomy puts the focus on man, responsibility puts the focus on God. We are to let God direct our steps. Only if we do that will we be truly free.

Verse 24 admits a need for discipline, and that if God wanted He could utterly wipe out the people. Then Jeremiah calls on God to pour out His wrath upon the nations. There is a reason for this. They do not acknowledge the Lord, and they have devoured God’s people. Jeremiah is calling out for justice.