Read Jeremiah 11
Highlights:
Jeremiah's proclamation of God's Covenant; plot against Jeremiah; lesson from the marred linen girdle; complaint against the lying prophets.
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 . . . shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing (Jer. 13:9-10).
The Hebrew man wore a long, loose tunic (dress-like garment) which reached almost to his ankles. The girdle was a sash-like belt that was an essential article of clothing to be worn around his waist when they were running or working. The girdle symbolized readiness for service.
The nation of Judah rejected the Word of God as spoken by His prophet, Jeremiah. God warned that, because of their unbelief, He would mar . . . the great pride of Jerusalem (13:9). They had become useless as His witnesses to the world. God illustrated this by telling Jeremiah to bury a linen girdle near Babylon, about 250 miles from Jerusalem, where they would be taken as slaves. (Linen was a symbol of righteousness.)
After the girdle had decayed, Jeremiah was directed to dig it up and take it to Jerusalem, illustrating that Judah's unrighteous condition made the nation unworthy to be God's servants. As the girdle was buried, the kingdom of Judah would be “buried.” — worthless captives for 70 years — until they could see the rottenness of their idol worship. Then God would command their return to Jerusalem.
We need to be listening when God is trying to communicate with us. Sometimes, He speaks to us through His Word and other times by His servants. We need to open our spirits to hearing from God. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (Rev. 3:6).
Many times we have to go through hard times like Israel to learn that we are not doing the right thing in the sight of God. It takes these tribulations to open our eyes to how we have fallen short of a Christ-filled life. Our heavenly Father does this to correct His children. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world (I Cor. 11:32).
Pride deceives the heart (Jer. 49:16), hardens the mind (Dan. 5:20), is an abomination to God (Prov. 16:5), and allows one to fall into the condemnation of the devil (I Tim. 3:6).
Be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble (I Pet. 5:5).
Thought for Today:
Pride blinds one from submitting to God's authority over him.
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).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Bible Pathway Media Producer: Rick Hash • Government Official: Rep. David E. Price (NC) • Country: Rwanda (7 million) in central Africa • Major languages: Kinyarwanda and French • Religious freedom • 80% Christian; 10.5% Muslim; 4.5% non-Religious/Other; 4% Traditional ethnic; .2% Baha'i • Prayer Suggestion: Rejoice that He has promised to sustain us at all times (Ps. 55:22).
Optional Reading: 2 Peter 2
Memory Verse for the Week: Isaiah 55:11
