Would you be kind enough to explain the significance of the linen girdle spoken of in the 13th chapter of Jeremiah? ―Plaistow
VERSES 9 to 11 of the chapter give the application of this remarkable incident to the people of Jerusalem and Judah, amongst whom Jeremiah lived. The girdle represented them.
Just as a girdle “cleaveth to the loins of a man” so God intended the whole house of Judah to have been in closest contact with Him. They should have been for His service, when He would have wrapped them, as it were, round Himself. Instead of this they left Him and walked after other gods. Consequently they should be spoiled as the girdle was marred.
The girdle was marred by Jeremiah burying it in the earth, hiding it “in a hole of the rock” by the river Euphrates. Formerly it was upon his loins and not put in water, now it was buried and sodden by the banks of the great river. Put to its proper use it would have lasted long; buried it soon perished. Thus Judah was soon to be carried captive to Babylon, which was by the Euphrates, and there they would perish as a nation and he good for nothing for many a long day. We know how this prophecy came to pass.
Like all other prophecies of, the Scripture this has a voice for us. If we are true to our Christian calling, if we maintain nearness of heart to God we shall be serviceable to Him and we shall be preserved. Severed from Him we shall come under the government of God, we shall get buried in the world, of which Babylon is a type, and there we shall rapidly deteriorate and be marred, as far as His testimony in the world is concerned.
Let us all earnestly ask the Lord that we may be preserved in communion with Him.
Three Kinds.
Rowboat Christians―have to be propelled by others, wherever they go.
Sailboat Christians—always go with the wind.
Steamboat Christians—decide where they ought to go, and go regardless of wind and weather.
Which kind are you?