Jeremiah 10
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. A long time ago, God spoke to His people. God said something important. He said it through a man. That man was called Jeremiah.
Look around, God said. Look at the other people. They make something strange. They walk into the woods. They chop down a tree. Chop, chop, chop. Then they take the wood home.
And then? Then they carve the wood. They make a doll from it. A big wooden doll. They paint it. They hang silver on it. They hang gold on it. They put pretty clothes on it. Blue and purple. Very shiny.
And then they say: this is our god!
But the wooden doll cannot walk. It has to be carried. The doll cannot talk. It just stands there. It cannot see. It cannot hear. It cannot help. It is only wood.
What Does This Mean?
God said: do not be afraid of that wooden doll. It cannot do anything. Not good things. Not bad things. It just stands there.
But I, God said, I am really there. I am the true God. I am alive!
I made the sky. I made the earth. I made the sea. I made the wind. When I say something, the clouds listen. The rain listens. The lightning listens.
There is no one like Me, God said. No one.
The Common Thread
The wooden doll cannot hear you. But God can hear you. Always.
And God did something wonderful. God came very close. He sent His own Son. His name is Jesus. Jesus is not made of wood. Jesus lives. Jesus sees you. Jesus hears you. Jesus loves you.
You do not have to carry Jesus. Jesus carries you.
For You
Sometimes people are scared. Scared of the dark. Scared of a big dog. Scared of a loud sound.
Then you can remember: God is bigger. God is stronger. God is really there.
You do not have to talk to a doll. You do not have to talk to a picture. You can just talk to God. God hears you. Really.
Look at your hands. God made them. Look at your feet. God made them. Look outside at a tree. God made it. Feel the wind on your cheeks. That wind comes from God too.
God is so big. And God knows your name.
Talk About It
Can a doll hear you when you talk to it? And can God hear you?
What did God make that you think is very beautiful?
Praying Together
Dear God,
You are the real God. You are alive. You hear me.
Thank You for the sky. Thank You for the trees. Thank You for the wind. Thank You for me.
I am not scared. Because You are big. And You love me.
Amen.
Questions about Jeremiah 10
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Jeremiah 10 about?
What does Jeremiah 10 say?
What does Jeremiah 10 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Jeremiah 10?
Why is Jeremiah 10 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
The idols in this chapter have to be nailed down so they won't fall over. They can't speak, can't walk, must be carried everywhere. Then comes the contrast: "But Yahweh is the true God. He is the living God and an everlasting King." Ask yourself honestly which one you're holding up today, and which one is holding you.
For the customs of the peoples are vanity; for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman with the axe."
Jeremiah watched his neighbors bow to something they had just chopped down themselves. A tree, shaped by human hands, dressed up and feared. He wanted them to see the absurdity.
What have you carved lately? A career, an image, a plan. Ask honestly: am I bowing to something I made?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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