Jeremiah 10 to 14 is all about Jeremiah reminding the people that they can “know” God, not just “about” God. Paul reminded the reader of Romans this truth: “since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.” [Rom 1] in sharp contrast to the idol worshipers. Jeremiah boldly told the people of Judah that idols are man-made blocks of wood covered in silver; they must be hammered to stand upright, they have no ears to hear and no mouths to speak. All who worship them “will prove to be stupid and ignorant.” [Jer 10:14]

In the book of Ruth, Orpah “knew about” God from Naomi. but Ruth “knew God.” We can discern that because of their response. Orpah knew about God, but she turned and went back to Moab when Naomi said, go home. Ruth, however, did not and insisted on going not back to Moab but forward to Bethlehem. That is the picture of the gospel. We either turn back to the world or move forward toward the “house of Bread” Bethlehem.

You can “know” God, not just “about” God. The question is, where are you?