“The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things: and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: the LORD of hosts is his name.”
My Notes
What Does Jeremiah 51:19 Mean?
"The portion of Jacob is not like them; for he is the former of all things." After describing the breathless, lifeless idols, Jeremiah contrasts them with the God of Jacob. Israel's God isn't a crafted idol — He's the Former (yotser, the Potter, the one who shapes) of all things. The idols were formed by humans. God formed the humans. The hierarchy is absolute.
The phrase "Israel is the rod of his inheritance" means Israel is the measuring stick of God's inheritance — the standard by which His people are defined. Or alternatively, Israel is the tribe of His inheritance — the specific people He chose as His own possession.
The final declaration — "the LORD of hosts is his name" — grounds the contrast in identity. The idols have names given by their makers. God has a name that is His own: YHWH tseva'ot. The Lord of armies. The commander of heaven's hosts. His name isn't assigned; it's inherent. He is who He is.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What's the practical difference between worshipping something formed and worshipping the Former?
- 2.How does 'former of all things' change your view of God's relationship to your circumstances?
- 3.Why do people settle for crafted substitutes when the Creator is available?
- 4.What does 'the LORD of hosts is his name' mean as an identity that doesn't depend on human recognition?
Devotional
The God of Jacob is not like the idols. He didn't get formed by someone's hands. He formed everything. The idols are crafted objects. God is the craftsman of all objects. The difference isn't degree — it's category.
After verses describing the brutishness of idol-makers and the breathlessness of idols, this verse arrives like fresh air: but Jacob's God isn't like that. He's not formed — He forms. He's not made — He makes. He's not breathless — He's the source of breath. Every characteristic that condemns the idols confirms God.
The phrase "the former of all things" is comprehensive. Not former of some things. Not former of spiritual things. All things. The tree the idol is carved from was formed by God. The metal the idol is cast from was formed by God. The hands that shape the idol were formed by God. Everything the idol-maker uses was made by the God the idol-maker is trying to replace.
The contrast is meant to produce wonder: why would you worship what was formed when you could worship the Former? Why settle for the product of human hands when the Producer of all things is available? The idols offer nothing because they have nothing. God offers everything because He made everything.
The LORD of hosts is His name. Not a name someone gave Him — His name. The name that was true before anyone spoke it. The identity that doesn't depend on recognition. He is who He is, whether the idol-makers acknowledge it or not.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And with thee will I break in pieces the horse and his rider,.... Or, "have broken": meaning the cavalry of an army,…
The particulars of this copious prophecy are dispersed and interwoven, and the same things left and returned to so often…
These vv. are taken almost verbatimfrom Jer 10:12-16. The object of the insertion is to emphasize the powerlessness of…
Cross References
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