Jeremiah 13:1-27

Saturday, February 4th 2017

THE PARABLE OF THE BELT

key verse: 1

These words serve to divide those who listen and those who don't. Jesus often said that may he who has ears hear. 

1. The parable of the belt (1-14)

God gave Jeremiah the parable of the belt. More than just giving it, he ordered Jeremiah to practice it. After buying and hiding the belt in rocks for a while, Jeremiah picks it up again, but it is no longer good for anything. Why a belt? A prophet often uses a belt to secure his body. For him, it is a source of divine power. Here, the belt represents God's alliance with his people. In the same way we buckle a belt to our waists, God buckles his people to him. But the Israelites didn't listen and followed their stubborn hearts instead. God said he would judge the pride of his people (9), since their refusal to listen comes from arrogance, and arrogance precedes destruction (14). 

2. The Lord threatens (15-27)

Jeremiah, the crying prophet, exhorts his people again to listen to the word and repent (17). Yet, the people's sins are already too numerous to be ceased, since they have practices wickedness for too long. Like a man cannot change his skin nor a leopard his spots, so a wicked man cannot easily return to good. Paul said to strive for piety (1 Tim. 4:7). We must pursue piety lest evil or bad habits stick to our skin and control us. The tendancy of the spirit is life and the tendancy of the flesh is death (Rom. 8:6). 

Prayer: Lord, make me humble, for you punish the proud. Make me strive more for piety each day.

Bottom line: arrogance precedes destruction