Jeremiah 13: A Parable of Pride and Peril
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.
So I got a girdle according to the word of the Lord, and put it on my loins.
And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying,
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.
So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the Lord commanded me.
And it came to pass after many days, that the Lord said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.
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.
Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Thus saith the Lord, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.
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.
Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?
Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.
And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the Lord: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.
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.
Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.
The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.
Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?
And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.
This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the Lord; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.
Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.
I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?
Jeremiah 13 serves as a powerful message from God, using vivid object lessons to convey the impending judgment upon Judah for their persistent disobedience. When words failed to move the hearts of the people, God turned to visual aids, compelling Jeremiah to act out prophetic parables. This chapter is a stark warning against pride and idolatry, revealing the devastating consequences of turning away from God.
The Linen Undergarment: A Symbol of Ruined Pride (Jeremiah 13:1-11)
The first object lesson centers around a linen undergarment. God instructs Jeremiah to purchase a linen garment (Jeremiah 13:1), wear it, and then travel to "Perath" to hide it in a rocky crevice (Jeremiah 13:4). The exact location of "Perath" is debated. While some believe it refers to the Euphrates River, a journey of approximately 700 miles round trip, it is more likely a location closer to Jeremiah's home in Anathoth. This is because the Hebrew spelling of "Euphrates" and this nearby site are identical, suggesting a more accessible location for the prophetic act.
After some time, Jeremiah is commanded to retrieve the garment. He finds it ruined, decayed, and utterly useless (Jeremiah 13:7). This ruined garment serves as a potent metaphor for the nation of Judah. God declares that He will similarly ruin the pride of Judah and Jerusalem (Jeremiah 13:9). Their stubbornness and devotion to other gods have rendered them useless to Him, like a tattered and rotten undergarment. God had desired to keep His people close, to "wear" them as a sign of His favor and protection (Jeremiah 13:11). But Judah, in its rebellion, preferred to be hidden away and ultimately ruined. This imagery highlights the intimate relationship God desired with His people and the tragic consequences of their rejection of Him.
The Jars of Wine: A Foretelling of Drunkenness and Destruction (Jeremiah 13:12-14)
The second object lesson involves jars filled with wine (Jeremiah 13:12). Wine is typically associated with blessing and refreshment. However, in this context, it becomes a symbol of God's curse upon Judah. Jeremiah is instructed to tell the people that everyone will be filled with wine, signifying a state of drunken confusion and vulnerability.
This "drunkenness" symbolizes the chaos and terror that will engulf Judah when the Babylonians arrive. The people will stagger and collide with one another in their confusion, unable to resist the impending judgment. God declares that He will show no mercy, emphasizing the severity and inevitability of the coming destruction (Jeremiah 13:14). This prophecy is a chilling reminder that blessings can turn into curses when God's grace is rejected.
Lament and Warning: A Call to Humility (Jeremiah 13:15-27)
Jeremiah's heart breaks for his people as he foresees their destruction. He urges them to listen and give glory to the Lord before darkness and gloom overtake them (Jeremiah 13:16). He weeps in secret places because of their pride (Jeremiah 13:17).
He is specifically instructed to address King Jehoiachin (also known as Jeconiah) and the Queen Mother, Nahushta (Jeremiah 13:18). Jehoiachin's reign was short-lived, lasting only three months before the Babylonian captivity. They are exhorted to humble themselves in light of the coming invasion, but their pride blinds them to the impending danger.
Jeremiah continues with a prophecy of certain doom, highlighting the ingrained nature of Judah's sin. He uses the proverb, "Can the Cushite change his skin or a leopard its spots?" (Jeremiah 13:23) to illustrate the deeply rooted nature of their wickedness. Just as it is impossible for a Cushite to change their skin color or a leopard to alter its spots, so too is it seemingly impossible for Judah to change their sinful ways.
He compares Judah to a prostitute who has given herself to many lovers (Jeremiah 13:25-27). However, instead of receiving rewards, she will be exposed and shamed. Their idolatry and unfaithfulness will lead to public humiliation and disgrace. The chapter ends with a lament, "Woe to you, Jerusalem!" (Jeremiah 13:27), underscoring the tragic consequences of their persistent rebellion.
Jeremiah 13 serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of pride, idolatry, and stubbornness. It calls us to examine our own hearts, to humble ourselves before God, and to heed His warnings before it is too late. The chapter's powerful imagery and prophetic pronouncements offer a sobering yet vital message for all who seek to walk in obedience to God.
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.
So I got a girdle according to the word of the Lord, and put it on my loins.
And the word of the Lord came unto me the second time, saying,
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.
So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the Lord commanded me.
And it came to pass after many days, that the Lord said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.
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.
Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,
Thus saith the Lord, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.
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.
Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?
Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.
And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the Lord: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.
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.
Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.
The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.
Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?
What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?
And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.
Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.
Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.
This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the Lord; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.
Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.
I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?
Jeremiah 13 serves as a powerful message from God, using vivid object lessons to convey the impending judgment upon Judah for their persistent disobedience. When words failed to move the hearts of the people, God turned to visual aids, compelling Jeremiah to act out prophetic parables. This chapter is a stark warning against pride and idolatry, revealing the devastating consequences of turning away from God.
The Linen Undergarment: A Symbol of Ruined Pride (Jeremiah 13:1-11)
The first object lesson centers around a linen undergarment. God instructs Jeremiah to purchase a linen garment (Jeremiah 13:1), wear it, and then travel to "Perath" to hide it in a rocky crevice (Jeremiah 13:4). The exact location of "Perath" is debated. While some believe it refers to the Euphrates River, a journey of approximately 700 miles round trip, it is more likely a location closer to Jeremiah's home in Anathoth. This is because the Hebrew spelling of "Euphrates" and this nearby site are identical, suggesting a more accessible location for the prophetic act.
After some time, Jeremiah is commanded to retrieve the garment. He finds it ruined, decayed, and utterly useless (Jeremiah 13:7). This ruined garment serves as a potent metaphor for the nation of Judah. God declares that He will similarly ruin the pride of Judah and Jerusalem (Jeremiah 13:9). Their stubbornness and devotion to other gods have rendered them useless to Him, like a tattered and rotten undergarment. God had desired to keep His people close, to "wear" them as a sign of His favor and protection (Jeremiah 13:11). But Judah, in its rebellion, preferred to be hidden away and ultimately ruined. This imagery highlights the intimate relationship God desired with His people and the tragic consequences of their rejection of Him.
The Jars of Wine: A Foretelling of Drunkenness and Destruction (Jeremiah 13:12-14)
The second object lesson involves jars filled with wine (Jeremiah 13:12). Wine is typically associated with blessing and refreshment. However, in this context, it becomes a symbol of God's curse upon Judah. Jeremiah is instructed to tell the people that everyone will be filled with wine, signifying a state of drunken confusion and vulnerability.
This "drunkenness" symbolizes the chaos and terror that will engulf Judah when the Babylonians arrive. The people will stagger and collide with one another in their confusion, unable to resist the impending judgment. God declares that He will show no mercy, emphasizing the severity and inevitability of the coming destruction (Jeremiah 13:14). This prophecy is a chilling reminder that blessings can turn into curses when God's grace is rejected.
Lament and Warning: A Call to Humility (Jeremiah 13:15-27)
Jeremiah's heart breaks for his people as he foresees their destruction. He urges them to listen and give glory to the Lord before darkness and gloom overtake them (Jeremiah 13:16). He weeps in secret places because of their pride (Jeremiah 13:17).
He is specifically instructed to address King Jehoiachin (also known as Jeconiah) and the Queen Mother, Nahushta (Jeremiah 13:18). Jehoiachin's reign was short-lived, lasting only three months before the Babylonian captivity. They are exhorted to humble themselves in light of the coming invasion, but their pride blinds them to the impending danger.
Jeremiah continues with a prophecy of certain doom, highlighting the ingrained nature of Judah's sin. He uses the proverb, "Can the Cushite change his skin or a leopard its spots?" (Jeremiah 13:23) to illustrate the deeply rooted nature of their wickedness. Just as it is impossible for a Cushite to change their skin color or a leopard to alter its spots, so too is it seemingly impossible for Judah to change their sinful ways.
He compares Judah to a prostitute who has given herself to many lovers (Jeremiah 13:25-27). However, instead of receiving rewards, she will be exposed and shamed. Their idolatry and unfaithfulness will lead to public humiliation and disgrace. The chapter ends with a lament, "Woe to you, Jerusalem!" (Jeremiah 13:27), underscoring the tragic consequences of their persistent rebellion.
Jeremiah 13 serves as a timeless reminder of the dangers of pride, idolatry, and stubbornness. It calls us to examine our own hearts, to humble ourselves before God, and to heed His warnings before it is too late. The chapter's powerful imagery and prophetic pronouncements offer a sobering yet vital message for all who seek to walk in obedience to God.