Jeremiah 13

Ruined

This chapter opens with the Lord instructing Jeremiah to perform a symbolic action. He is instructed to buy a linen belt (or waistband or loincloth – depends on your translation: something tied/wrapped around the waist).

Next, he is instructed to hide it at the Euphrates. An alternative reading is to hide it at Perath, which is the name of a place just 3.5 miles from Jeremiah’s town of Anathoth. The Euphrates River, on the other hand, is 700 miles away. I think the closer location makes more contextual sense.

When Jeremiah returns later, it is ruined. The Lord responds to the prophet:

“This is what the Lord says: ‘In the same way I will ruin the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. 10 These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless! 11 For as a belt is bound around the waist, so I bound all the people of Israel and all the people of Judah to me,’ declares the Lord, ‘to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.’

Jeremiah 13:9-11

To Ponder…

  • Are you listening and obeying what God is calling you to do even when it’s hard or doesn’t make sense?
  • What better describes you: useful to the Lord or going your own way? Which would you like to be?
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