Slices
Prepare
As you pray for people around you to become followers of Jesus, are there any for whom you weep?
Bible passage
A linen belt
13 This is what the Lord said to me: ‘Go and buy a linen belt and put it round your waist, but do not let it touch water.’ 2 So I bought a belt, as the Lord directed, and put it round my waist.
3 Then the word of the Lord came to me a second time: 4 ‘Take the belt you bought and are wearing round your waist, and go now to Perath and hide it there in a crevice in the rocks.’ 5 So I went and hid it at Perath, as the Lord told me.
6 Many days later the Lord said to me, ‘Go now to Perath and get the belt I told you to hide there.’ 7 So I went to Perath and dug up the belt and took it from the place where I had hidden it, but now it was ruined and completely useless.
8 Then the word of the Lord came to me: 9 ‘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 round 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 honour. But they have not listened.”
Wineskins
12 ‘Say to them: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: every wineskin should be filled with wine.” And if they say to you, “Don’t we know that every wineskin should be filled with wine?” 13 then tell them, “This is what the Lord says: I am going to fill with drunkenness all who live in this land, including the kings who sit on David’s throne, the priests, the prophets and all those living in Jerusalem. 14 I will smash them one against the other, parents and children alike, declares the Lord. I will allow no pity or mercy or compassion to keep me from destroying them.”’
Threat of captivity
15 Hear and pay attention,
do not be arrogant,
for the Lord has spoken.
16 Give glory to the Lord your God
before he brings the darkness,
before your feet stumble
on the darkening hills.
You hope for light,
but he will turn it to utter darkness
and change it to deep gloom.
17 If you do not listen,
I will weep in secret
because of your pride;
my eyes will weep bitterly,
overflowing with tears,
because the Lord’s flock will be taken captive.
18 Say to the king and to the queen mother,
‘Come down from your thrones,
for your glorious crowns
will fall from your heads.’
19 The cities in the Negev will be shut up,
and there will be no one to open them.
All Judah will be carried into exile,
carried completely away.
20 Look up and see
those who are coming from the north.
Where is the flock that was entrusted to you,
the sheep of which you boasted?
21 What will you say when the Lord sets over you
those you cultivated as your special allies?
Will not pain grip you
like that of a woman in labour?
22 And if you ask yourself,
‘Why has this happened to me?’–
it is because of your many sins
that your skirts have been torn off
and your body ill-treated.
23 Can an Ethiopian change his skin
or a leopard its spots?
Neither can you do good
who are accustomed to doing evil.
24 ‘I will scatter you like chaff
driven by the desert wind.
25 This is your lot,
the portion I have decreed for you,’
declares the Lord,
‘because you have forgotten me
and trusted in false gods.
26 I will pull up your skirts over your face
that your shame may be seen –
27 your adulteries and lustful neighings,
your shameless prostitution!
I have seen your detestable acts
on the hills and in the fields.
Woe to you, Jerusalem!
How long will you be unclean?’
Explore
God asks Jeremiah to do something dramatic. Different terms are used for the cloth: a belt; a loincloth; a girdle. Its significance is described in verse 11: it represents something that binds and brings glory. The drama of the cloth being hidden in the river and left a while, only then to be found to be useless (vs 3–7), is a stark message of judgement from God about his people (vs 8–11).
Pride seems to be the main problem. God’s people are failing to listen to him. Their purpose was to be bound to God in a covenant relationship and bring him glory. However, their stubborn refusal to listen means God will give them over to their own desires and passions (vs 12–14).
Words of judgement are always hard to hear. Is there any hint of the tone of voice being used? There is certainly a strong note of warning: it does not need to be like this; do not be arrogant (v 15). There is also sadness. Jeremiah is often referred to as the weeping prophet (v 17). He speaks God’s message from a tender heart. Maybe God is weeping too. ‘For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!’ (Ezekiel 18:32).
Respond
Lord God, help us to heed your warning and to hear your heart of love that calls us to be bound to you, bringing you glory.
Deeper Bible study
‘May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.’1
There is a classic piece of advice given to budding writers: ‘Don’t tell me, show me.’ What a character does communicates much more than what they merely say. Taken a step further, theatre and film give the opportunity for the audience to view as well as listen to the message or story. God tells Jeremiah to create two pieces of street theatre. First, the linen belt (the Israelite equivalent of underpants or knickers), an intimate garment which, if not washed but left in the air, becomes contaminated. Second, an excess of wine results in a drunken, senseless mob. The intimate relationship of the Lord with his chosen people has been spoiled by exposure to foreign influences, so they have become a senseless, violent rabble, unable to rule or be ruled. God’s condemnation of Judah continues in three vivid pictures: the traveller on the twilight road (v 16), the command for the king and the queen mother to step down (v 18) and the shameful public exposure of a woman, with a hint of sexual violence (vs 22,26). God doesn’t mince his words or censor his imagery.
Jesus spoke a lot of words, but he also illustrated what he said by his actions. Crowds were fed, sick people healed, tables turned over; finally, a stone was rolled away and he, a dead man, appeared alive again. The early church acted out Christ’s teaching as they ate, prayed, healed, shared and created a resurrection community.2 Actions spoke louder than words, as is seen in the resulting numbers of those who came to join them.
It’s not always easy to speak Jesus’ words into other people’s lives. Sometimes it’s easier, and more effective, to be like Jesus to them. Actions speak.
Follow the words of the hymn ‘Take My Life’3 and ask God to turn good intentions about time, physical abilities, finance, intellect and love into significant public actions.
1 Ps 19:14 2 Acts 2:42–47 3 Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836–79
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: 1 Samuel 25,26; Psalm 49
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for Local Mission Partner Living Stones Educational Trust working in Manchester, that as they look to rebuild after the death of their Chair of Trustees at the end of last year they will know God’s wisdom and direction and his provision for all their needs.
