Jeremiah 13

Jeremiah 13:1

B. Jeremiah and the Ruined Sash (Chap. 13)13:1-11 Judah is compared to a used sash (waist-cloth) which Jeremiah was instructed to take to the Euphrates and hide. Judah once occupied a place of closest intimacy with Jehovah, but like the sash, would be carried away and “hidden.” Because of her sin, Judah was carried away two hundred and fifty miles and “hidden” near the Euphrates (Babylon) in captivity. When Jeremiah retrieved the sash, it was ruined, profitable for nothing. As to whether Jeremiah actually went to the Euphrates, Scofield has this helpful footnote: Some have questioned the possibility of Jeremiah’s having actually buried his girdle, or belt, by the Euphrates, in view of the distance and the war conditions. However, there were periods in Jeremiah’s ministry when the whole area was at peace. It is not impossible that Jeremiah may have actually made a visit to Babylon, and if so, this event could easily have taken place at that time, as he might have buried the belt on his way there and might have dug it up on his way back. It is also possible to interpret the Hebrew word as meaning, not the Euphrates but the Wadi Farah, a few miles north of Jerusalem. In this case he could have buried the belt at any time prior to the final Babylonian attack. Thus there is reason to assume that this passage describes an actual eventnot a mere vision or imaginary story. Jeremiah’s marred girdle served as a symbol indicating Israel’s unsatisfactory life and service. 13:12-14 All the people will be filled with winenot literal wine, as they thought, but the wrath of Almighty God, and they will be smashed like bottles. Harrison comments: Jeremiah stresses that just as alcohol affects judgment and impairs mobility, so in the coming crisis men will behave as though inebriated, being unable to distinguish friend from foe or to defend themselves. 13:15-23 Repentance is urged, or exile is inevitable. If the people don’t glorify God, they will get darkness and the shadow of death. The king and the queen mother will be dethroned and the cities of the South besieged. The Babylonians will make the land desolateall because of the iniquity of Judah. Judah and her sins are inseparable. 13:24-27 The words used to describe Judah’s apostasyadulteries, lustful neighings, lewdness, and harlotryall have an immoral connotation. Harrison explains the illustration: Like nominal believers in all ages, the people were incredulous that such calamities could overtake them. Jeremiah, however, places the blame firmly on their own shoulders and promises them the shameful public disgracing associated with prostitutes . . . . The irony of it all is that this will be inflicted by the very people whom Judah once courted. Because of her indulgence in the unfruitful works of darkness Judah would be exposed publicly as the corrupt wanton that she was by the One who had first espoused her in covenant love.