The Linen Waistband

The Linen Waistband
 
In Jeremiah Chapter 13, God tells Jeremiah to do something unusual that symbolizes His relationship with Judah and Jerusalem and the coming judgment.  God tells Jeremiah to buy a linen waistband and put it around his waist (Jer 13:1).  He then instructs him to take it to the Euphrates River, about 650+- miles away from Jerusalem and put it in between the rocks, not bury it (Jer 13:4).  On foot, that’s about a 6 or 7 days journey, just one way.  God then tells him sometime after, possibly years later, to go dig it up, and when Jeremiah retrieves the garment, it is ruined and worthless (Jer 13:6-7).  The priests were commanded to wear specific garments of linen, one of which was to be girded about the waist as an undergarment.  This linen represented the close relationship that Judah and Jerusalem were to have with God.  They were to be a garment to God, but because of their pride and rebellion, they have become as useless to God as the linen garment was to Jeremiah.  This story speaks volumes, and I believe it speaks to us today.  Much of the Church today has sold its soul to pride, fame, fortune, and money.  Our linens have become soiled and useless.  (James 1:27 (NKJV) Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.)  James 1:7 does not say “or”; it says, “and keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Staying unspotted from the world is a prerequisite to the undefiled religion of caring for widows and orphans.  If you are spotted by the world, you are as filthy as the linen garment in Jeremiah.  Jesus didn’t say follow me when it’s convenient; He said, “Follow me.” (Luke 5:28 (NKJV) So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.) It’s time to rise up, leave all, and follow Him.

Be Blessed and be BOLD,
Pastor Charlie