◄ Jeremiah 13:11 ►
For just as a loincloth clings to a man's waist, so I have made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to Me, declares the LORD, so that they might be My people for My renown and praise and glory. But they did not listen.
Study Bible
For just as a loincloth clings to a man’s waist
The imagery of a loincloth, or girdle, is significant in ancient Near Eastern culture. It was a close-fitting garment, essential for daily wear, symbolizing intimacy and personal attachment. In this context, it represents the intended closeness between God and His people. The loincloth clinging to the waist signifies the intended relationship of dependence and closeness that God desired with Israel and Judah. This metaphor is used to illustrate how God intended His people to be intimately connected to Him, much like a garment that is inseparable from the body.

so I have made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to Me, declares the LORD
The division of Israel into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah) is highlighted here, emphasizing that God's covenant was with all His people, despite their political separation. The use of "cling" suggests a deliberate act by God to draw His people close, reflecting His covenantal love and commitment. This phrase underscores the unity and singular purpose God had for both kingdoms, despite their historical divisions and conflicts. The declaration by the LORD emphasizes His sovereign will and the divine initiative in establishing this relationship.

so that they might be My people for My renown and praise and glory
The purpose of Israel and Judah's closeness to God was to bring Him renown, praise, and glory. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God's people are chosen to reflect His character and to be a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). The terms "renown," "praise," and "glory" indicate the honor and worship due to God, which His people were meant to embody and proclaim. This echoes the covenantal promise that Israel would be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Exodus 19:6), serving as a testament to God's greatness.

But they did not listen
This phrase highlights the recurring theme of Israel's disobedience and rebellion against God. Despite God's intentions and efforts to draw them close, the people failed to heed His commands and warnings. This disobedience is a central theme in the prophetic literature, where the prophets often lament Israel's stubbornness and call them to repentance. The failure to listen is not just a lack of hearing but a refusal to obey and align with God's will, leading to the consequences of exile and judgment. This disobedience contrasts with the ideal relationship God desired, as seen in Deuteronomy 6:4-5, where Israel is called to love the LORD with all their heart, soul, and strength.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah and Jerusalem.

2. House of Israel
Refers to the northern kingdom, which had already fallen to Assyria by Jeremiah's time, but symbolically represents all of God's chosen people.

3. House of Judah
The southern kingdom, which was still standing during Jeremiah's ministry but was facing imminent judgment due to disobedience.

4. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who desires a close relationship with His people.

5. The Belt
A symbolic object used by God to illustrate the intended closeness between Him and His people, which was broken due to their disobedience.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Closeness to God
Just as a belt is meant to be close to the body, God desires an intimate relationship with His people. This requires intentionality in our spiritual walk.

Purpose of God's People
We are called to be for God's renown, praise, and glory. Our lives should reflect His character and bring Him honor.

Consequences of Disobedience
Israel and Judah's failure to listen led to their downfall. We must heed God's word to avoid similar consequences.

Listening and Obeying
True listening involves obedience. We must not only hear God's word but also act upon it.

Symbolism in Scripture
Understanding the symbolic language in the Bible can deepen our comprehension of God's messages and intentions.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the imagery of the belt in Jeremiah 13:11 help us understand the relationship God desires with His people?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are clinging to God in our daily lives?

3. How does the purpose of being for God's renown, praise, and glory influence our actions and decisions?

4. What are some modern-day examples of failing to listen to God, and what can we learn from Israel and Judah's mistakes?

5. How can we apply the principle of being doers of the word, as mentioned in James 1:22, in our current context?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 10:20
This verse emphasizes the importance of clinging to God, similar to the imagery of the belt in Jeremiah 13:11.

Isaiah 43:21
Highlights God's purpose for His people to declare His praise, aligning with the purpose mentioned in Jeremiah 13:11.

John 15:5
Jesus speaks of abiding in Him, which parallels the idea of clinging to God for life and purpose.

Ephesians 1:12
Paul speaks of believers being for the praise of God's glory, echoing the purpose God had for Israel and Judah.

James 1:22
Encourages believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, which relates to the failure of Israel and Judah to listen and obey.
Sermons
Good Reasons for Singular ConductJeremiah 13:1-11
Nearness to God Destroyed by SinE. Jerman.Jeremiah 13:1-11
The Cast-Off GirdleJeremiah 13:1-11
The Marred GirdleA.F. Muir Jeremiah 13:1-11
The Marred GirdleD. Young Jeremiah 13:1-11
The Ruined Girdle; Or, it May be Too Late to MendS. Conway Jeremiah 13:1-12
People
Jeremiah
Places
Euphrates River, Jerusalem, Negeb
Topics
Affirmation, Band, Beauty, Belt, Body, Bound, Caused, Cleave, Cleaves, Cleaveth, Cling, Clings, Declares, Ear, Girdle, Glory, Goes, Hearken, Hearkened, Honor, Household, Judah, Listen, Listened, Loins, Man's, Praise, Renown, Round, Says, Tightly, United, Waist, Waistband, Waistcloth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 13:11

     1349   covenant, at Sinai
     5165   listening
     5857   fame
     8665   praise, reasons

Jeremiah 13:1-11

     5131   belt

Library
An Impossibility Made Possible
'Can the Ethiopian change his skin?'--JER. xiii. 23. 'If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature.'--2 COR. v. 17. 'Behold, I make all things new.'--REV. xxi. 5. Put these three texts together. The first is a despairing question to which experience gives only too sad and decisive a negative answer. It is the answer of many people who tell us that character must be eternal, and of many a baffled man who says, 'It is of no use--I have tried and can do nothing.' The second text is the grand Christian …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Notion of Inability.
PROPER METHOD OF ACCOUNTING FOR IT. I have represented ability, or the freedom of the will, as a first-truth of consciousness, a truth necessarily known to all moral agents. The inquiry may naturally arise, How then is it to be accounted for, that so many men have denied the liberty of the will, or ability to obey God? A recent writer thinks this denial a sufficient refutation of the affirmation, that ability is a first-truth of consciousness. It is important that this denial should be accounted …
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

On Earthly Things
The earth is man himself; in the gospel: another has fallen into the good earth. The same in a bad part about the sinner: you devour the earth all the days of your life. [Mark 4:18; Genesis 3:14] The dry lands are the flesh of a fruitless man; in Ecclesiastes, to work in a dry land with evil and sorrow. [Ecclesiastes 37:3] The dust is a sinner or the vanity of the flesh; in the psalm: like the dust, which the wind blows about. [Ps. 1:4 Vulgate] The mud is the gluttony of sinners; in the psalm: tear …
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

The Cavils of the Pharisees Concerning Purification, and the Teaching of the Lord Concerning Purity - the Traditions Concerning Hand-Washing' and Vows. '
As we follow the narrative, confirmatory evidence of what had preceded springs up at almost every step. It is quite in accordance with the abrupt departure of Jesus from Capernaum, and its motives, that when, so far from finding rest and privacy at Bethsaida (east of the Jordan), a greater multitude than ever had there gathered around Him, which would fain have proclaimed Him King, He resolved on immediate return to the western shore, with the view of seeking a quieter retreat, even though it were …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

On the Animals
The birds are the saints, because they fly to the higher heart; in the gospel: and he made great branches that the birds of the air might live in their shade. [Mark 4:32] Flying is the death of the saints in God or the knowledge of the Scriptures; in the psalm: I shall fly and I shall be at rest. [Ps. 54(55):7 Vulgate] The wings are the two testaments; in Ezekiel: your body will fly with two wings of its own. [Ez. 1:23] The feathers are the Scriptures; in the psalm: the wings of the silver dove. …
St. Eucherius of Lyons—The Formulae of St. Eucherius of Lyons

Covenanting Confers Obligation.
As it has been shown that all duty, and that alone, ought to be vowed to God in covenant, it is manifest that what is lawfully engaged to in swearing by the name of God is enjoined in the moral law, and, because of the authority of that law, ought to be performed as a duty. But it is now to be proved that what is promised to God by vow or oath, ought to be performed also because of the act of Covenanting. The performance of that exercise is commanded, and the same law which enjoins that the duties …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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