Reading: Jeremiah 11-14
Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God, before He cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock is carried away captive (Jer. 13:15-17).
The citizens of Judah to whom Jeremiah was instructed to deliver his messages were arrogant and proud. They lived in a peaceful and prosperous nation under the banner of God, believing themselves to be protected by His name and thus untouchable, regardless of their day-to-day behaviors. Fully content with their lives, they saw no reason to change. Chapter 13 of the Book of Jeremiah addresses the hypocritical nature of this attitude and issues a strong warning of what would happen if it continued unchecked.
Thus saith the Lord unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water (Jer. 13:1). The linen girdle God instructed Jeremiah to wear was a priestly garment (Lev. 16:4), a visual symbol of purity and service. Linen was a costly and delicate material, and it would have been a noticeable step above Jeremiah’s traditional clothing. While bound to Jeremiah, the girdle represented the close, connected relationship that the Lord sought with His people. God then commanded Jeremiah, Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock (13:4). Many days later, God sent him back to dig it up. Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing (13:7). The once pristine garment was utterly ruined. Where it had been a symbol of righteousness and good standing while bound and tended, now it revealed the terrible price of separation and neglect, arguably still a linen girdle in name, but one whose function had been destroyedand whose existence was now meaningless.
This evil people, which refuse to hear My words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto Me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the Lord; that they might be unto Me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear (13:9-11). When we claim a relationship with Christ yet keep it tucked away and neglected in some dark corner while we are busy living our daily lives under the direction of the imagination of our hearts, then that claim becomes nothing more than empty words, no more useful to us or God than the ruined linen girdle was to Jeremiah. Judah ignored God’s warning, just as He knew she would. But we still have a chance to heed it. Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the Lord hath spoken.
Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Matt. 16:24).
Thought for Today: Untended faith will cool and eventually be doused entirely.
Christ Revealed: As the Hope of Israel, the Saviour (Jer. 14:8). Christ is the only Hope of all mankind. Looking for that blessed Hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).
Word Studies: 11:15 wrought lewdness = done evil things; 11:23 visitation = judgment; 12:2 reins = heart; 13:22 skirts discovered . . . heels made bare = fine clothes torn off as you are driven into exile, barefoot (comp. Nah. 3:5).
Pray for: one another • Country: Algeria (38,813,722) North Africa • Major Languages: Arabic, French • Opposition to the Gospel is intense • 99% Muslim (State Religion); 1% Christian and Jewish • Prayer Suggestion: Revere and worship the Lord with godly fear and you will have no want (Ps. 34:9).
Optional Reading:II Peter 2