What does "every man is senseless" teach about human wisdom without God? Context of the Phrase Jeremiah 10:14 — “Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his molten images are a lie, and there is no breath in them.” Key Observation The statement comes in a passage contrasting the true, living God with lifeless idols. God declares that, in comparison with Him, human ideas and inventions—especially religious ones made apart from His revelation—are empty and irrational. What “Every Man Is Senseless” Reveals about Human Wisdom without God • Universality of the Problem – “Every man” leaves no exception; without divine light, all people fall into the same blind alley (cf. Romans 3:10–12). • Intellectual Futility – “Is senseless” literally means “stupid, brutish.” Even the sharpest intellect, severed from God’s truth, ends in folly (1 Corinthians 1:20). • Moral Blindness – The senselessness is not merely mental but moral; it is ignorance of God’s holiness and will (Ephesians 4:17–18). • Idolatry as Exhibit A – The craftsman idolizes his own artistry. Human culture, science, and art can become substitutes for God, showcasing wisdom that ultimately betrays its makers (Isaiah 44:9–20). • Shame as the Final Outcome – “Put to shame” foretells inevitable exposure; all godless schemes collapse when confronted with the living God (Psalm 97:7). Why Human Wisdom Fails When God Is Excluded 1. Finite perspective—cannot see beyond time and space (Job 38:2–4). 2. Darkened hearts—sin distorts reasoning (Romans 1:21–22). 3. Absence of true authority—without revelation, standards shift (Proverbs 14:12). 4. Inability to give life—only God’s word is “living and active” (Hebrews 4:12); human philosophy remains “no breath in them.” Positive Implication • True wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 9:10). • Christ is God’s wisdom in person, overturning human senselessness (Colossians 2:3). • By receiving His Word, believers exchange folly for understanding (Psalm 119:130). Takeaway List – Human brilliance—uncoupled from God—degenerates into spiritual stupidity. – All people share this deficit; education, culture, or talent cannot remove it. – Idolatry, ancient or modern, vividly illustrates the emptiness of human-driven religion. – Only God’s self-revelation in Scripture and in Christ rescues us from senselessness and grants lasting wisdom. |
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