God Is Not Like Man - Rejecting the Incarnation, Jeremiah 10:6, Matthew 19

Jeremiah 10:6, Matthew 19, and the Incarnation

An Exegesis of the Mighty God Who Became Man

God Is Not Like Man - Rejecting the Incarnation, Jeremiah 10:6, Matthew 19

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Abstract

This article responds to the objection often raised against the incarnation using Jeremiah 10:6—which speaks of God's might that is unlike anything—and Matthew 19:16-22—where Jesus says, "Only One is good" and appears to reject being called "good" as God. Using the entire framework established in our previous discussions—including the analysis of Isaiah 43:10, Hebrews 13:8, birth as determining nature, and inherited sin as a pattern of relationship—this article shows that Jeremiah 10:6 actually strengthens the incarnation, rather than rejecting it. God's might, which is "unlike anything," actually includes the power to become man without losing His divinity. Meanwhile, Matthew 19, when read in the context of inherited sin and humanity's tendency to rely on wealth, actually aligns with our entire narrative: Jesus teaches that only God is good and that humans cannot be saved by their own efforts, but only by God who descended to save.

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1. Introduction: Jeremiah 10:6 and the Incarnation

Throughout our entire discussion, we have established that:

1. God is Echad—a composite unity, not atomistic.

2. God's love is holy and exclusive—He does not share His glory with another.

3. Holy love cannot be delegated—God Himself descended to save.

4. Isaiah 43:10 is the revelation of the incarnation—before Jesus there was no incarnation, after Him there will be none.

5. Hebrews 13:8 affirms Jesus' immanent divinity that never changes.

6. Birth determines nature—Jesus was born of Mary so He is human, and eternally begotten of the Father so He is God.

Now, we will examine Jeremiah 10:6—a verse often misused to "deny" the incarnation with the argument: "God is not like anything, so He cannot become man." And Matthew 19:16-22—where Jesus appears to "reject" being called good, which some consider a denial of His divinity.

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2. Jeremiah 10:6—God's Might That Is Unlike Anything

2.1. The Text of Jeremiah 10:6

"There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might."

Analysis:

"There is none like you" —affirms God's uniqueness.

"You are great, and your name is great in might" —affirms God's omnipotence.

2.2. Misunderstandings about Jeremiah 10:6

Mistaken Interpretation | Explanation

"God is not like anything, so He cannot become man." | This is a logical error. "Not like" refers to God's essence—that nothing is equal to Him—not to His inability to take another form.

"The incarnation is impossible because God is not like man." | Wrong. God's uniqueness actually includes His omnipotence to take any form—including human form.

2.3. Correction of Interpretation: God's Uniqueness and Omnipotence

Aspect | Explanation | Jeremiah 10:6

Uniqueness of Essence | God is the only true God—nothing is equal. | "There is none like you."

Omnipotence | God is all-powerful—He can do whatever He wills. | "Your name is great in might."

Possibility of Incarnation | Because God is omnipotent, He can become human without losing His uniqueness. | God's uniqueness is not limited by the form He takes.

Formulation:

"Jeremiah 10:6 does not reject the incarnation. It affirms that God is unique and omnipotent. And because He is omnipotent, He can take any form—including human form—without losing His uniqueness and divinity. God's might actually includes the power to become man."

2.4. Connection to Isaiah 43:10 and the Incarnation

Jeremiah 10:6 | Isaiah 43:10 | The Incarnation

"There is none like you." | "Before me no god was formed." | Jesus is the only incarnate God—unique and final.

"Your name is great in might." | "After me there shall be none." | The incarnation is an act of omnipotence—only the omnipotent God can become man.

Formulation:

"Jeremiah 10:6 and Isaiah 43:10 are two sides of the same coin. Jeremiah affirms God's uniqueness and omnipotence; Isaiah affirms that the incarnation is the exclusive act of that unique and omnipotent God. There is no contradiction—only reinforcement."

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3. Matthew 19:16-22—Jesus, the Rich Man, and Divinity

3.1. The Text of Matthew 19:16-22

"A man came up to Jesus and said, 'Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?' And he said to him, 'Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.'"

3.2. Misunderstandings about Matthew 19

Mistaken Interpretation | Explanation

"Jesus rejected being called 'good,' so He is not God." | Wrong. Jesus did not reject being called good; He directed the young man to the source of true goodness, which is God.

"Jesus admitted that only the Father is good, so Jesus is not good." | Wrong. Jesus is one with the Father (John 10:30). If the Father is good, Jesus is also good.

"This verse proves that Jesus is not God." | Wrong. This verse actually confirms that Jesus is God—because He teaches that only God is good, and He Himself is the embodiment of that goodness.

3.3. Correction of Interpretation: Jesus Points to the Source of Goodness

Aspect | Explanation | Matthew 19

The Young Man's Question | "Teacher, what good deed..." | The young man viewed Jesus as a human teacher, not as God.

Jesus' Response | "There is only One who is good." | Jesus corrected the young man: do not see Me as an ordinary human; I am the source of goodness.

Jesus' Purpose | To direct the young man to God as the source of salvation. | Jesus did not deny His divinity; He taught that salvation comes only from God.

Formulation:

"Jesus did not reject being called good. He taught that true goodness comes only from God—and because He is God, that goodness is in Him. Jesus' response was an invitation for the young man to see that before him stood God Himself, who is good."

3.4. Connection to Our Entire Discussion: Inherited Sin and Human Tendency

Theme | Matthew 19 | Connection to Our Discussion

God's Goodness | "There is only One who is good." | God is the source of goodness—humans cannot be good without being connected to Him.

Inherited Sin | The young man could not let go of his wealth. | Inherited sin is the tendency to rely on worldly things rather than on God.

Birth and Nature | The young man was born of humans—he inherited Adam's sin. | Jesus is the new Adam who breaks the chain of sin.

Salvation from God | "With God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26) | Salvation comes only from God—and God Himself descended to save.

Formulation:

"Matthew 19 aligns with our entire concept: humans cannot be saved by their own efforts (goodness, wealth, lineage) because they have inherited Adam's sin. Only God is good, and only God can save. And because love cannot be delegated, God Himself descended—in Jesus Christ—to save us."

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4. Jeremiah 10:6 and Matthew 19: The Unity of the Theology of the Incarnation

4.1. Jeremiah 10:6: The Mighty and Unique God

Jeremiah 10:6 | Meaning | Connection to the Incarnation

"There is none like you." | God is unique—nothing is equal. | The incarnation is a unique act—only God can become man.

"Your name is great in might." | God is omnipotent—nothing can match Him. | God's omnipotence includes the power to become man.

4.2. Matthew 19: The Good God and the Source of Salvation

Matthew 19 | Meaning | Connection to the Incarnation

"There is only One who is good." | Goodness comes from God—not from humans. | Jesus is the good God who descended to save.

"With God all things are possible." | Salvation comes only from God—not from human effort. | The incarnation is the act of the omnipotent God.

4.3. Synthesis: Jeremiah 10:6 and Matthew 19 as Revelation of the Incarnation

Principle | Jeremiah 10:6 | Matthew 19 | The Incarnation

God's Uniqueness | There is none like God. | Only One is good. | Jesus is the only incarnate God.

God's Omnipotence | God's name is great in might. | With God all things are possible. | The incarnation is an act of omnipotence—God becoming man.

Source of Salvation | God is the only God. | Only God is good. | Jesus is the source of salvation—because He is God.

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5. Answering the Objection: Is This a Contradiction?

5.1. Objection: "Jeremiah 10:6 says God is not like anything, so Jesus cannot be God."

Answer | Explanation

"Not like" refers to essence, not form. | God is not like false gods—not like humans created in His image.

Omnipotence includes the power to become man. | The omnipotent God can take any form—including human form.

Isaiah 43:10 and Jeremiah 10:6 reinforce each other. | Both affirm God's uniqueness—and the incarnation is the unique act of the unique God.

5.2. Objection: "Matthew 19 proves Jesus is not God because He rejected being called good."

Answer | Explanation

Jesus did not reject being called good; He corrected the young man. | The young man called Jesus "Teacher" (human), not "Lord." Jesus directed him to the source of goodness.

Jesus is the good God. | If Jesus is God, He is goodness itself (John 14:6).

This verse actually confirms Jesus' divinity. | Jesus taught that only God is good—and He Himself is the embodiment of that goodness.

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6. Conclusion: Jeremiah 10:6 and Matthew 19 Affirm the Incarnation

This article has proven that:

1. Jeremiah 10:6 does not reject the incarnation. It affirms God's uniqueness and omnipotence—and God's omnipotence actually includes the power to become man.

2. Matthew 19 does not deny Jesus' divinity. Jesus taught that goodness comes from God and that salvation comes only from God—and He Himself is the good God who descended to save.

3. Both align with our entire previous discussion:

   Isaiah 43:10—the incarnation is God's unique act.

   Hebrews 13:8—Jesus remains the unchanging God.

   Birth determines nature—Jesus is God and man.

   Inherited sin is a relational pattern—Jesus breaks it.

4. God's might is not opposed to the incarnation; it demands it. Because God is omnipotent, He can become man; because God is unique, the incarnation is an exclusive and final act.

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Final Formulation

"Jeremiah 10:6 says: 'There is none like you, O LORD; you are great, and your name is great in might.' Matthew 19 says: 'Only One is good... with God all things are possible.' These two verses, when read correctly, are not arguments against the incarnation. They are affirmations that God is unique, omnipotent, and the source of all goodness—and therefore, He can and has become man in Jesus Christ. God's might is not limited to creating and ruling; it also includes the power to humble Himself, to become weak, to become human, and to die for His people. This is true might: the power to love without limit, the power to descend without losing divinity, the power to die and rise forevermore. This is holy love—love that cannot be delegated, love that is personally present, love that is faithful unto death, and love that triumphs over death. This is perfect divine monogamy: one God, one Bridegroom, one incarnation, one sacrifice, one salvation, forever and ever."

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Soli Deo Gloria.

Jeremiah 10:6 and Matthew 19 are not stumbling blocks, but cornerstones that strengthen our faith: that Jesus is the incarnate God, the only good One, the only Omnipotent One, and the only One who can save. To Him, the only wise God, to Him, through Him, and in Him, be all glory forever and ever. Amen.