Ways of God

Jeremiah 10:2 This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.

Over here the Lord is not giving a counselling but a commandment. The Lord tells the people of Israel not to follow the ways of the gentiles. The Lord clearly instructs his children not to follow the ways of the nation. In chapter 15, the Lord is rebuking the people and asks Jeremiah to drive the people away from him as they failed to do what the Lord asked them to do in Chapter 10. God warns His people not to imitate the nations in their customs, superstitions, or idol worship. But the people learnt the ways of the nation and drifted away from the ways of God. Those days the nations around Israel feared astrological signs (sun, moon, stars, eclipses, comets, etc.) thinking they controlled human destiny. But our Lord God is the one who has created all the creations of this world. The people were afraid of the creations but forgot the creator. We are all living in this sinful world but we should not reflect the customs of the world. Here God reminds Israel that they are His covenant people they should not live in fear like the world, but in trust and obedience to Him. Let us meditate on the path God has called us to walk.

1.A Separated Path

Leviticus 20:26 You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.

God’speople are set apart for His purpose. We read on Micah 7:14 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago. The Israelites were tempted to copy the customs of surrounding nations idolatry, rituals, astrology. Believers today must reject worldly trends that contradict God’s truth.

A. Call to Holiness:
God’s nature is holy, and He wants His people to reflect His character. Holiness is not just avoiding sin, but living in obedience, purity, and devotion to Him.
B. Separation from the World
God chose Israel and set them apart from other nations. This separation was not for pride, but to live as a witness of God’s power and love.
C. Belonging to God
God says, “you are mine.” Our identity is not in the world’s culture but in being God’s treasured possession. As believers in Christ, we are also called to live differently from the world. Holiness is possible not by our strength but through the Holy Spirit working in us. When we live set-apart lives, others see Christ through us.
Just as a vessel set apart in the temple was used only for God’s purposes, we too are chosen to live for Him, not for common or sinful use.

2. A Fearless Path

Jeremiah 10:2 This is what the LORD says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.

The world trembles at heavenly signs (eclipses, stars, astrological predictions). Our God says to us: Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Ancient nations feared eclipses, comets, and celestial events as omens. God says, “Do not be terrified” — because He controls the heavens. Psalms 19:1 For the director of music. A psalm of David. The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. When the world panics over economic crises, politics, or disasters, we trust God’s sovereignty. God is holding our hand, not us.

3.The way God shows

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is —his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Instead of learning “the ways of the nations,” we must learn God’s ways. We read in Psalms 25:4-5 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Transformation comes through God’s Word, prayer, and obedience. Replace ungodly customs with godly disciplines - daily devotion, worship, service. A compass always points north, no matter the surroundings. In the same way, a believer guided by God’s Word will always align with His will, even when the world moves in a different direction. The nations may fear the unknown, but God’s people walk in peace because we know the One who holds the future. Psalms 121:2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Amen.