SPIRITUAL GEMS: Week of June 22-28, 2026, JEREMIAH 9 and 10, Answers.

SPIRITUAL GEMS: June 22-28, 2026, JEREMIAH 9 and 10, Answers.

Let's look for hidden gems (10 mins.)

Jeremiah 10:21. What can Christian overseers learn from this verse? (Jeremiah 133, 134 pars. 11, 12).

Christian superintendents can learn that, to be effective teachers and offer wholesome spiritual nourishment, their teaching must be firmly grounded in the Bible. This requires them to be diligent students of God's Word.

They can learn that making decisions based solely on human reasoning or personal experience, instead of seeking Jehovah's guidance, can lead to serious mistakes in caring for the congregation.

Overseers can learn that if they neglect their own spirituality and fail to teach based on the Scriptures, the consequences will directly affect the brothers in the congregation, weakening them spiritually.

Christian overseers learn that they must study and emulate the example of Jesus Christ. Only by imitating the “good shepherd” can they guide the congregation wisely and lovingly. Although elders have many time-consuming responsibilities, setting aside time for regular study is essential for successfully protecting and guiding the flock.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

This verse teaches us that Christian overseers can shepherd well only if they constantly seek Jehovah and base their teaching on the Bible. If they stop doing so, they may begin to mislead others, just like the shepherds in Jeremiah’s day who did not seek God. Therefore, it is important that they always stay close to Jehovah and depend on him for proper teaching and counsel.

This verse highlights the importance of elders maintaining the habit of regular Bible study, not only when preparing a talk, but as part of their daily spiritual life. If they neglect this practice, they may begin to rely on their own experience or ideas, which is not always the best approach. In contrast, when they are spiritually well-nourished, their counsel and teaching are clearer, more balanced, and truly help the congregation draw closer to Jehovah.

This verse teaches us that a Christian overseer should always seek Jehovah’s guidance in prayer before giving counsel or making important decisions. This is essential because, even with experience, they are still imperfect. By praying and reflecting on the Bible, they can avoid acting impulsively or relying on personal opinions. In this way, their decisions better reflect Jehovah’s wisdom and benefit the congregation more fully.

They can learn that they must be good students of God's Word and of the publications provided by the faithful slave. In Jeremiah's day, those who were supposed to be teachers did not follow the principles of Scripture or seek God; therefore, it was impossible for them to act with true wisdom. They are expected to be, first and foremost, loving, and this motivates them to invest time and effort in studying and keeping up to date.

Jeremiah 10:21 shows that the leaders of Judah failed because they did not consult Jehovah. Although they held positions of responsibility, they did not seek divine guidance or allow God's will to direct their decisions. As a result, they acted without spiritual understanding, and the people suffered the consequences.

From this verse, Christian overseers learn that the ability to care for the flock depends not primarily on experience, intelligence, or personal skills, but on maintaining a close relationship with Jehovah and constantly seeking his direction.

As the book Shepherds After My Own Heart points out, an effective elder must be a diligent student of God’s Word. His teaching must be firmly based on the Scriptures and on the guidance that Jehovah provides through the faithful and discreet slave.

When an overseer devotes time to personal study, meditation, and prayer, he develops true spiritual insight and can strengthen, protect, and guide the congregation in a balanced way. The negative example of the shepherds in Jeremiah's day reminds elders of the importance of not neglecting their personal spirituality.

This principle remains valuable today. Elders need to set aside time to study the Bible in depth, pray, and keep abreast of the spiritual direction Jehovah’s organization provides. Likewise, all Christians can learn that important decisions should be based not solely on human criteria but on Bible principles. When we seek Jehovah’s guidance and trust in his wisdom, we avoid mistakes and contribute to the unity, protection, and spiritual well-being of the congregation.

What spiritual gems have you found in this week's Bible reading?

Jeremiah 9:3, 5. This text makes us reflect on how easy it is to be influenced by the spirit of the world, where lying, gossip, and exaggeration are commonplace. Jeremiah says that people “train their tongues to tell lies.” Today, we Christians must do the exact opposite: train our tongues to speak the truth. Both in the congregation and in the family, speaking truthfully strengthens mutual trust and pleases Jehovah, the “God of truth.”

Jeremiah 9:5. It is striking to note that the people in Jeremiah's time spent their energy and grew weary striving to do wrong. This teaches us a lesson by contrast: in this system, maintaining a good spiritual routine requires effort, and sometimes we grow weary of working, studying, or preaching. But what is a thousand times better than ending the day tired from having served Jehovah and done good, rather than wasting our energy on the empty goals of this world?

Jeremiah 9:8. Jeremiah describes an attitude we also see today: double-dealing or hypocrisy. At school or at work, some people may treat us as “friends,” but behind our backs they criticize us. As servants of Jehovah, this reminds us of the importance of being transparent.

Jeremiah 9:8. It reminds us that the love we show in the congregation must be, as Romans 12:9 says, “without hypocrisy.” Our brothers and sisters must feel completely confident that what we say with our mouths is the same as what we feel in our hearts.

Jeremiah 9:10. Jeremiah felt neither indifference nor apathy toward the destruction of his nation. He was deeply pained to see the consequences of disobedience to God. Today we live in a spiritually barren and morally broken world.

Jeremiah 9:10. This passage teaches us that we must not become insensitive to the suffering of others or to the evil in the world. Feeling compassion for people will motivate us to preach to them with greater urgency and empathy.

Jeremiah 9:12. Jehovah asks who has the discernment to understand why things were going so badly in the nation. In our times, many people wonder why there are so many crises, wars, and a loss of values, but they look for merely human explanations. We, thanks to Bible study and the publications of the faithful slave, understand that we live in the last days. This wisdom does not make us superior, but it makes us responsible for helping others understand the times in which we live.

Jeremiah 9:14. The Israelites chose to follow their own desires and the traditions of their ancestors instead of listening to Jehovah. Today, the world constantly repeats messages like, “Follow your heart” or “Do what your mind tells you.” However, Jeremiah later reminds us that the heart is treacherous.

Jeremiah 9:14. The practical lesson is that true protection lies in shaping our hearts with the Word of God and allowing ourselves to be guided by His counsel, not by our personal impulses.

Jeremiah 9:23, 24. This is a treasure for young people and for everyone in the congregation. The world measures success by academic degrees, money, or social standing, but Jehovah clearly tells us what truly has eternal value: knowing him and understanding his qualities, such as his loyal love, justice, and righteousness. If we have the privilege of being Jehovah's friend, we already possess the greatest possible treasure. We do not need to seek the world's approval.

Jeremiah 10:2. This truth is very relevant today. Many people live with anxiety about the future, worried about astrological predictions, superstitions, or threats of the end of the world from a human perspective. But Jehovah tells us: “Do not be afraid.”

Jeremiah 10:2. Studying Bible prophecies gives us peace of mind. We know exactly where history is headed and that the future of the planet is secure in God's hands. Therefore, we have no reason to imitate the panic or superstitious beliefs of those who do not know Jehovah.

Jeremiah 10:3-5. Jeremiah uses subtle irony when he compares idols to scarecrows that don't even move. Although today most people in our world don't worship wooden or silver statues, they do carry "modern idols," such as technology, entertainment, celebrities, or money.

Jeremiah 10:3-5. Many people dedicate their lives to things that, in the face of a real crisis or illness, cannot speak out, cannot act, and cannot save them. How grateful we are to worship a God who is alive and who acts on our behalf!

Jeremiah 10:6. This is an excellent comment for expressing our personal praise at the meeting. When we contemplate creation or meditate on how Jehovah cares for the worldwide congregation, we come to the same conclusion as the prophet: “No one is like you.” Remembering Jehovah’s greatness stirs our desire to pray to him reverently and to speak of him proudly in the ministry.

Jeremiah 10:7. The “fear” spoken of here is not a paralyzing fear, but a deep respect and a healthy fear of displeasing our heavenly Father. In a world where respect for authority and for what is sacred has been lost, maintaining this holy fear protects us from making serious mistakes and motivates us to obey Jehovah even when no one is watching.

Jeremiah 10:10. Unlike the false gods of the Babylonian Empire or today's atheistic philosophies, which fade away, Jehovah is the “living God.” This means that our prayers do not fall on deaf ears; he hears, feels, and answers. Furthermore, knowing that he is the “eternal King” gives us the assurance that his Kingdom will never fail and that his promises of eternal life are completely reliable.

Jeremiah 10:12. When we observe creation—the sky, the planet, the water cycle, and the variety of life—we clearly see Jehovah’s wisdom and power reflected. If he had the power to establish the earth and the physical universe, he certainly also has the power to control any difficult situation in our personal lives. Trusting in the Creator helps us overcome anxiety.

Jeremiah 10:23. This is one of Jeremiah's best-known texts and contains an undeniable truth. Thousands of years of human history and the failures of governments demonstrate that humankind is incapable of successful governance apart from God.

Jeremiah 10:23. Understanding that humans are not capable of directing their own actions saves us from the frustration of waiting for the system to improve on its own. On the contrary, it motivates us to willingly submit our daily actions to Jehovah's guidance through daily Bible reading.

Isaiah 10:24. Jeremiah acknowledges that the people needed correction, but he asks Jehovah to apply it “justly,” that is, with an exact measure, with love, and with patience. This teaches us a beautiful lesson about theocratic discipline. When we receive counsel from the elders, correction from our parents, or adjustment through the publications, we should not view it as a sign of rejection by Jehovah.

Isaiah 10:24. He teaches us that Jehovah disciplines us because he loves us, and he does so with the tenderness and balance of a perfect Father. His goal is for us to grow spiritually, not to "reduce us to nothing."

Jeremiah 9:23, 24. This verse helps us understand that we should not base our worth on things like intelligence, strength, or money. Today, many people feel important because of what they achieve or possess, but Jehovah sees things differently.

Jeremiah 9:23, 24. It teaches us that Jehovah values ​​our truly knowing him and imitating him. This is a reminder that what matters most is not standing out from others, but having a good relationship with Jehovah and finding joy in it.

Jeremiah 9:4-6. This shows that the town had reached a point where lying and deceit were commonplace. This makes us think about how easy it can be to become accustomed to wrongdoing if one isn't careful.

Jeremiah 9:4-6. Today we live in a world where truth is sometimes undervalued. That's why this text encourages us to strive to always be honest, even in small things, and not to be influenced by an environment that normalizes lying.

Jeremiah 9:13, 14. These verses explain that the people abandoned the law of the Lord and followed their own desires. This teaches us that when a person turns away from God's principles, they can easily begin to do what seems right to them, without considering whether it is good or bad. We want to avoid that, and instead of following our emotions or what others do, we prefer to be guided by what the Bible says.

Jeremiah 9:24. This verse helps us remember that knowing Jehovah involves not only knowing things about him, but also understanding his personality: loving, just, and merciful. The more we get to know him, the more we want to imitate him in our speech and actions. This helps us to remain humble and not focus too much on material things.

Jeremiah 10:2. Here Jehovah warns us not to adopt the customs of other nations, especially those related to false worship. This teaches us to be careful about what we see or imitate from the world, because not everything that seems normal is right in Jehovah's eyes. We want to make sure that our beliefs and customs are always based on the Bible.

Jeremiah 10:10. This verse gives us great reassurance because it reminds us that Jehovah is the true and living God, not a made-up or powerless god. He has authority over everything and never changes. This helps us to trust in him, even when we don't understand some things, because we know that he always acts with wisdom and justice.

Jeremiah 10:23. This teaches that humans cannot properly guide their own steps. This helps us recognize that we need Jehovah's guidance in every important decision. Sometimes we think we know what is best, but we can easily be mistaken. That is why it is important to pray and seek the Bible's guidance before making decisions.

Jeremiah 10:12. This verse shows Jehovah's power as the Creator of all things. It helps us see how great Jehovah is and how small we are in comparison. But at the same time, it encourages us because this same powerful God is the one who cares for us and is interested in us. Knowing this gives us confidence and peace.

Jeremiah 9:1. It teaches us that sometimes we may feel so much pain or such a strong urge to cry that we might think we can't take it anymore. It comforts us to know that Jehovah is with us and helps us in every difficult moment. He did so with Jeremiah and with the faithful of old.

Jeremiah 9:4. It teaches us that we must be careful about whom we trust. Trust should not be blind. It is sad that even within our own families we can suffer betrayal or slander. Trust is built, but those in whom we should always place our complete trust are Jehovah and his beloved Son, Jesus. No one who puts their trust in them will be disappointed.

Jeremiah 9:5. This text speaks of those who lie and deceive. Even today, in a world rife with lies and deception, some have repeated falsehoods a thousand times and believe that this makes them true. The truth is, quantity is not synonymous with quality. Living the truth motivates us to avoid lying or deceiving others.

Jeremiah 9:9. This text motivates us to continue preaching faithfully. As Jehovah’s Witnesses, we continue visiting people in the nations with a message that displeases most but brings joy to a minority: the good news of God’s Kingdom. Soon God will hold religions accountable, and we will stand in the Father’s favor.

Jeremiah 9:23. Christians are not required to live in poverty to receive the approval of the true God. He never instructed his worshippers to practice asceticism. Christians are free to earn money and purchase necessities, and even comforts, with that money. God does not forbid acquiring material things that are within our means.

Jeremiah 9:23. If a person with business acumen has succeeded in making a profit without succumbing to the dangerous desire to get rich, it would be a mistake to accuse them of being a money lover. What indicates whether or not a person is a money lover is not the amount of money they have, nor the quantity or quality of their possessions; rather, it is their attitude toward such things.

Jeremiah 9:23. It teaches us that a person can be poor and still be a lover of money because of their greedy desire to become rich and possess things they don't currently have. A person of average means in other countries might appear wealthy to someone poorer; however, that person may not have the wrong attitude of a poor person. Lovers of money, whether poor or rich, are condemned by Scripture because of their wrong attitude.

Jeremiah 9:24. This text teaches us that, although we are happy to know Jehovah and have knowledge of him, we must be careful not to feel superior to others. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Jeremiah 9:25. Those Jews needed to undergo a symbolic heart operation, just as their ancestors had done in the time of Moses. Removing “the foreskins of their hearts” meant freeing themselves from everything that made them insensitive: the thoughts, desires, and motives that conflicted with divine standards.

Jeremiah 10:2. It teaches us that, as Christians, we must be vigilant about what we imitate from other nations. Fads and trends can influence us. Some might begin to dress according to what is fashionable and convey a message contrary to the principles of Scripture. Others might start watching inappropriate movies because it is trendy, or listening to indecent music for the same reason. Without realizing it, they might open doors that they will later find difficult to close.

Jeremiah 9:6. Jehovah does not say that those people could not have known him, but that they did not want to. They had chosen a way of life based on deception and disobedience, and that prevented them from drawing near to him. This verse shows that knowing Jehovah also involves being willing to accept his guidance and to make changes when necessary.

Jeremiah 9:6. This text is noteworthy because it emphasizes that getting to know Jehovah is a personal decision. No one can do it for us. Every day, through our choices, we demonstrate whether we truly want to draw closer to him. It encourages us to ask ourselves if we are dedicating time to strengthening our friendship with Jehovah and if we are willing to accept his guidance, even when that means making adjustments in our lives.

Jeremiah 9:24. Jehovah explains what truly has value. Many people are proud of their knowledge, abilities, or material possessions. However, Jehovah says that the greatest source of satisfaction is knowing him and understanding his ways. Knowing Jehovah does not simply mean knowing facts about him, but rather deeply appreciating his qualities and striving to imitate them in our lives.

Jeremiah 9:24. This verse reminds us that true success is not measured by what we have or what we have achieved, but by our friendship with Jehovah. It makes us reflect on the fact that the time we dedicate to studying the Bible, meditating, and strengthening our relationship with him is never time wasted.

Jeremiah 10:6. After demonstrating the worthlessness of idols, Jeremiah highlights the incomparable greatness of Jehovah. No human, ruler, or supposed god can compare with him. Jehovah is unique in his power, wisdom, love, and all he has done for humankind. His name represents all that he is and all that he is capable of doing.

Jeremiah 10:6. This verse helps us maintain a balanced view of our problems. Sometimes difficulties may seem overwhelming, but Jehovah is always greater than any problem we face.

Jeremiah 10:23. Jeremiah humbly acknowledges a fundamental truth: human beings were not created to direct our lives independently of Jehovah. Although we may acquire experience and knowledge, our vision is always limited. Therefore, when people try to decide for themselves what is right or wrong without taking God into account, they often make mistakes and suffer the consequences.

Jeremiah 10:23. Jeremiah understood that true wisdom lies in accepting Jehovah’s guidance and trusting in his standards. This verse reminds us that we don’t always see the whole picture. Sometimes we may think we know the best course of action, but Jeremiah recognized that we need Jehovah’s guidance. This encourages us to consult the Bible, pray, and seek spiritual direction before making important decisions.