Chapter 13
Illustration of God's intentions for Judah. The loincloth was useful to start with, but after being buried it became sodden, dirty, and so useless. As long as Israel stayed close to God, they were of use to Him. But when they turned away, and dirtied themselves with false gods, they because totally without purpose, worthy only to be trashed. So God was trying to give them a sign, sort of speaking to them in a parable that at least the wise among them might interpret...as in the NT.
Next, another part of the message, starting with:
12 "You shall speak to them this word: 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel...." [Jer 13:12a ESV]
I still don't get why this isn't a new message? Maybe someone decided it is in the same vein, on the same theme still. That would get into some pretty deep study, if so.
The people compared to jars of wine. God will dash one against another, destroying all. He also says they will be like drunkards when the invader comes. Powerless to oppose.
2024 - This verse, God's own words: 14 And I will dash them one against another, fathers and sons together, declares the LORD. I will not pity or spare or have compassion, that I should not destroy them.'" [Jer 13:14 ESV]. This is God's threat, his promise, to his own people. Never ever forget that both "God is love" and "I will not pity or spare or have compassion" are true of God, at the appropriate times. He is patient with us, but not infinitely patient.
vss 15-17, An appeal to turn back to God. It is not too late. If they don't, they will be taken captive.
vss 18, 19, The king and queen mother are to take a lowly seat, because all of Judah is taken into exile. Even the Negeb is taken - the southern extremity of Judah, and not such great property. Even this will not escape what's coming. There is nowhere to run.
vss 20-27, When the people ask God why this has come upon them, He asks them this question:
23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil. [Jer 13:23 ESV]
He says their evil has become their nature. They are what they are, and cannot be different. That is why the destruction has come. They've gone so far in sin and idolatry that they are no longer capable of "fixing themselves". They have to go. God will choose a few, and restore from there.
2025 - This interesting verse:
23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil. [Jer 13:23 ESV].
Here is the danger of cutting yourself slack on misbehavior. Do it enough and it becomes impossible t undo. By this time, Judah and Jerusalem were condemned by God, and his judgment could not be stayed. They had gone past the possibility of repentance. It was no longer even possible.
Think about what you see on the news!
Possible FB post.
There are terrible images here of what is coming for Judah. In vs 22 the phrase "...your skirts are lifted up and you suffer violence." and in vs 26 the phrase "I myself will lift your skirts over your face,...." Conquest in those days, and in the days of first Germany and then Poland - in fact I'm sure in all the wars that have ever occurred, men sink to the lowest of the low, and they rape the women of the conquered land. This is the basest part of the consequences of being
invaded an conquered. There is no rule of law, there is no decency. Men abuse women at such a time. God is telling Judah that they will be that abused woman. They will suffer this level of indignity, pain, helplessness, derision. This is where they're going...yet even these words did not make them repent. I think of that scene in Apocalyto where the "good" village is invaded by the "bad" people. That is what conquest looks like. I never want to be part of either side of a conquest.
2021 - I have to say that I am noticing that the chapters in Jeremiah are very LONG, but the plan still calls for three chapters a day. It gets pretty long.
I note also that Jeremiah is still warning Jerusalem, and there is very little of far future events in what he writes.