The Lesson of the Loin Cloth (Jeremiah 13:1-11)
The story is told of two ducks and a frog who lived happily together in a farm pond. The best of friends, the three would amuse themselves and play together in the waterhole. When the hot summer days came, however, the pond began to dry up, and soon it was evident they would have to move. This was no problem for the ducks, who could easily fly to another pond. But the frog was stuck. So it was decided that they would put a stick in the bill of each duck that the frog could hang onto with his mouth as they flew to another pond. The plan worked well -- so well, in fact, that as they were flying along-- a farmer looked up in admiration and mused, “Well, isn’t that a clever idea! I wonder who thought of it?” The frog said, “I did …”
(Background courtesy of Wiki)
For a quarter century prior to the destruction, Jeremiah repeatedly issued prophecies predicting God's forthcoming judgment; advocating the Israelites put down their idols and repent in hopes of turning away God's judgment and fulfilling their destiny as his chosen people. Jeremiah's fellow Israelites refused to heed his warnings and did not repent. His efforts failed and he witnessed the destruction of everything he knew, the exile of the Israelite elite to Babylonia, and the fleeing of the remainder to Egypt.
-This linen loin cloth represented the relationship between God and Israel
- Linen was used in Priestly duties (Ezekiel 44:17-19) - it was used only in the presence of God, and when they would go to the outer court where the people were, they had to change their clothes .. So they do not endanger anyone by transmitting holiness to them through this clothing.
- Jesus was wrapped in Linen when he was put in the tomb (Luke 23:53)
I. God Draws us to Himself
- If we told people that God had told us to go and buy a loin cloth and put it around our waist, it would seem silly.
In Jeremiah 1 we seee a young man that God has chosen as a prophet, and he first seems reluctant, but then God assures him the He will be with him. Jeremiah’s willingness to do something that seems silly like buying a linen loin cloth shows that he fully trusted God in what He wanted…
- Jeremiah was OBEDIENT, knowing that the Lord had a reason for this and a reason for him doing what he did.
- As this cloth was a symbol of Israel’s relationship to God, we can take this lesson and see how it applys to us.
II. Our Sin Draws us away from Him
- Jeremiah takes the cloth he was wearing and takes it to the Euphrates River and Hide it there in a hole
- If the first step represented God’s closeness to His people, this act represented a Wayward People
- They put other things ahead of their relationship with the Lord.
- What happened to the cloth when Jeremiah was told to take it out of the hole? “it was rotting and falling apart. The loincloth was good for nothing” was it an animal that tore it apart? No it was the exposure to the elements. In the same way, Israel became corrupt from their unfaithfulness to God. Their trust in themselves was their undoing.
What drew Israel away from God?
1)Worshiping other gods (Jeremiah 1:8-9; Placing idols in the Temple 7:30 & child sacrifices “They set up abominable idols right in the Temple that bears my name, defiling it. They have built pagan shrines at Topheth, the garbage dump in the valley of Ben-Hinnom, and there they burn their sons and daughters in the fire.”); Do we put our faith in man-made objectives above the Lord? Our society dismissed an one-road path to heaven … but Jesus says “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
2) Listening to False Prophets Jeremiah 8:8 “How can you say, “We are wise because we have the word of the Lord,” when your teachers have twisted it by writing lies.” 2Peter 2:1-3 “But there were also false prophets in Israel, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will cleverly teach destructive heresies and even deny the Master who bought them. In this way they will bring sudden destruction on themselves. Many will follow their evil teaching and shameful immorality. And because of these teachers, the way of truth will be slandered. In their greed they will make up clever lies to get hold of your money. But God condemned them long ago, and their destruction will not be delayed.”
3) Alliance with other nations (Jeremiah 1:18) - Egypt and Assyria (not only trade, but influences that these nations brought)
What influences you and your decisions?
2 Cor. 6:14 “Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with the darkness”
4)Injustice 5:28 “They are fat and sleek, and there is no limit to their wicked deeds. They refuse to provide justice to orphans and deny the rights of the poor”
How do we help the poor? How do we seek justice in our community? How do we treat our elderly, our widows, orphans, those who have trouble getting through the day.
2 Cor. 8:14-15 “Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later, they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it. In this way, things will be equal. As Scriptures say, “Those who gathered a lot had nothing left over, and those who gathered only a little had enough”
5) Strength from ourselves (Jeremiah 17:5-7) they have no hope in the future
Vs.….
Trust in God 17:7-8
6) Hypocrasy
Jeremiah 7:8-11; Mark 11:17
7) Selfishness (Jeremiah 6:16) “This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No that’s not the road we want!”
13:15-17 (Pride)
Pride is so devastating because of its deceptiveness. C.S. Lewis said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you’re looking down, you can’t see something that’s above you.” We may eaily point out pride in the life of someone else, completely oblivious to the stranglehold that pride may have in our own lives. How then can we recognize the presence of pride within us?
(remember the illustration)
Christ draws us back to the Father.
Conclusion:
Our hope …Romans 5:1-11 - Our Salvation our hope, we are drawn back into the right relationship with God.
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