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Jer. 13:1 ¶ Thus saith the LORD unto me, Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water.

Jer. 13:2 So I got a girdle according to the word of the LORD, and put it on my loins.

This chapter begins with the LORD giving Jeremiah instructions to perform a series of actions to illustrate the message he is to deliver to the people. I personally believe that these were physical actions performed by Jeremiah and not just visualized by him as some commentators seem to think. Jeremiah is instructed to get a linen girdle, a belt, and wear it while being careful not to get it wet. He then did as he was told.

Jer. 13:3 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying,

Jer. 13:4 Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock.

Jer. 13:5 So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.

We aren’t told how long Jeremiah wore the belt, but we are told that sometime later the LORD instructed him to take the girdle off and hide it in a hole in the rock somewhere by the Euphrates River. Again, Jeremiah did as he was told. Again, there are some differences of opinion among the commentators regarding the reference to the Euphrates River. Some indicate that there was a location closer to Anathoth called by the same name.

Jer. 13:6 And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.

Jer. 13:7 Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing.

After many days, Jeremiah is instructed by the LORD to go back to the Euphrates where he hid the belt and dig it out. This seems to indicate that it was buried in rocky soil. Though we don’t know how long it had been hidden, we know that it was long enough to have rotted to the point of being unusable.

Jer. 13:8 Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

Jer. 13:9 Thus saith the LORD, After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem.

Jer. 13:10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.

Jer. 13:11 For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear.

The LORD now begins to explain the truth represented by Jeremiah’s actions. Just as the girdle rotted and became useless, so will YHWH destroy the pride of the people of Judah, especially their great pride in Jerusalem. Just as the girdle is good for nothing, the LORD has determined that His people have become good for nothing. He had established them in blessing to His glory, and they had utterly failed Him by rejecting Him and turning to idols. Just as the girdle was worn snug against the body of the man, YHWH had established the people of Israel to cling to Him just as closely to His praise and glory before the nations. The very sad choice of the people--“they would not hear” or obey (from the Hebrew).

Jer. 13:12 ¶ Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee, Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine?

Jer. 13:13 Then shalt thou say unto them, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, even the kings that sit upon David’s throne, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, with drunkenness.

Jer. 13:14 And I will dash them one against another, even the fathers and the sons together, saith the LORD: I will not pity, nor spare, nor have mercy, but destroy them.

I had to read these verses through a few times to understand that the LORD is comparing the inhabitants of the land to the bottles referenced in v12. The LORD is saying that He is going to fill his people—from commoner to king--with his wrath to the point of drunkenness or helplessness. The indication is that the people would be so desperate that they would turn on one another—even father against son. He is going to destroy His people without mercy or pity.

Jer. 13:15 Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken.

Jer. 13:16 Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.

Jer. 13:17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD’S flock is carried away captive.

At this point Jeremiah urges the people to pay attention and humble themselves before the LORD. There are so many scriptures that speak to the folly of pride and the wisdom of humility. 

Proverbs 29:23 “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”

James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

He encourages them to give glory to YHWH before He sends His wrath. If they do not repent and glorify the LORD, Jeremiah declares that his heart will break as he witnesses his people being taken away captive by their enemy. It was obvious that Jeremiah hated their sin, but he loved his people.

I think the reference to the “LORD’s flock” also speaks to Jeremiah’s concern for God’s honor. In His righteousness He must judge His people and allow them to be taken captive by their enemy. To the people of that day, this would indicate that the “god” of the people was weak. They would not understand judgment being motivated by love and as a refining fire to purify His people of their sin.

Jer. 13:18 Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory.

Jer. 13:19 The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive.

Jer. 13:20 Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock?

Jer. 13:21 What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?

Jer. 13:22 ¶ And if thou say in thine heart, Wherefore come these things upon me? For the greatness of thine iniquity are thy skirts discovered, and thy heels made bare.

Jeremiah is now instructed to speak directly to the king and queen and implore them to humble themselves before the LORD. They need to understand that the coming judgment will result in the loss of their thrones and their land and their people will be taken captive. Verse 20 indicates that the enemy is already invading from the north. The “flock” is a reference to the people of Judah, and point is made that their nation had been given to them by the LORD.

I think the CJB gives a clearer understanding of v21: “When he sets over you as rulers those you trained to be allies, what will you say? Won’t pains seize you like those of a woman in labor? “

The fact that the people of Judah had tried to ally themselves with Babylon was recorded by Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 23:11–17 “And when her sister Aholibah [Jerusalem/Judah] saw this, she was more corrupt in her inordinate love than she, and in her whoredoms more than her sister in her whoredoms. She doted upon the Assyrians her neighbours, captains and rulers clothed most gorgeously, horsemen riding upon horses, all of them desirable young men. Then I saw that she was defiled, that they took both one way, And that she increased her whoredoms: for when she saw men portrayed upon the wall, the images of the Chaldeans portrayed with vermilion, Girded with girdles upon their loins, exceeding in dyed attire upon their heads, all of them princes to look to, after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea, the land of their nativity: And as soon as she saw them with her eyes, she doted upon them, and sent messengers unto them into Chaldea. And the Babylonians came to her into the bed of love, and they defiled her with their whoredom, and she was polluted with them, and her mind was alienated from them.”

Jeremiah doesn’t wait for the king and queen to question him as to why their nation is being judged; he tells them directly. They are being judged for spiritual adultery against the LORD. The fulfillment of this prophecy (v15à) is recorded in 2Kings.

2 Kings 24:8–15 “Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. And his mother’s name was Nehushta, the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done. At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came against the city, and his servants did besiege it. And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said. And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land. And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king’s mother, and the king’s wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon.”

Jer. 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil.

It seems that the LORD has concluded that there is about as much chance of Judah repenting and turning back to him in faith as there is for an Ethiopian to change the color of his skin or the leopard to change its spots.

I am afraid that mirrors my feelings about the possibility of national revival in America today.

Jer. 13:24 Therefore will I scatter them as the stubble that passeth away by the wind of the wilderness.

Jer. 13:25 This is thy lot, the portion of thy measures from me, saith the LORD; because thou hast forgotten me, and trusted in falsehood.

These verses are emphasizing that the coming judgment will cause the people to be carried away by their enemy as a desert wind carries away the chaff of the grain. Again, the LORD emphasizes that this judgment is a result of rejecting Him and trusting in false gods.

Jer. 13:26 Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.

Jer. 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

The LORD is going to see that the pride of His people is turned to public shame. Why? Because they have been so public in their spiritual adultery and in embracing the wicked practices associated with the worship of their false gods. They seem determined to cling to their filthy practices. The LORD then poses the question (my paraphrase): How long is it going to take you to repent?

Jer. 14:1 ¶ The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the dearth.

“dearth” = restraint of rain; drought

It would seem that the LORD is going to explain to Jeremiah the reason for the time of drought that Judah was experiencing at that time.

Jer. 14:2 Judah mourneth, and the gates thereof languish; they are black unto the ground; and the cry of Jerusalem is gone up.

Jer. 14:3 And their nobles have sent their little ones to the waters: they came to he pits, and found no water; they returned with their vessels empty; they were ashamed and confounded, and covered their heads.

Jer. 14:4 Because the ground is chapt, for there was no rain in the earth, the plowmen were ashamed, they covered their heads.

Jer. 14:5 Yea, the hind also calved in the field, and forsook it, because there was no grass.

Jer. 14:6 And the wild asses did stand in the high places, they snuffed up the wind like dragons; their eyes did fail, because there was no grass.

In this section of verses the people of Judah are pictured in mourning because of the lack of rain. “Black unto the ground” references mourning in the Hebrew. Even those in positions of power among the people, the nobles, who usually congregate around the gates of the city find that they are without any influence when it comes to getting water. Their children and/or servants are returning home from the wells with empty water pails just like everyone else. The people are disappointed (from the Hebrew for “ashamed”), hurt and confused by the situation. Covering their heads was a sign of mourning. Those who were attempting to plow the earth for planting were disappointed because the ground was dry and cracked; agriculture was basically at a standstill. Even the animals were feeling the desperation of the situation. When the deer (usually known for taking good care of their young) gave birth, they abandoned their young because of the lack of grass for food. The wild asses went to the high places to sniff the wind and scan the countryside looking for grass, but they could see nothing to eat.

It is quite clear that the land and people of Judah were experiencing a severe time of drought, and the LORD wanted to make sure that the people recognized that it was in judgment for their sin.

Jer. 14:7 O LORD, though our iniquities testify against us, do thou it for thy name’s sake: for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.

Jer. 14:8 O the hope of Israel, the saviour thereof in time of trouble, why shouldest thou be as a stranger in the land, and as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night?

Jer. 14:9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not.

It seems the people realized that God was aware of their sins. So, instead of approaching God on their own behalf, they decided to address Him regarding the honor of His name. They knew that the nations around them would interpret these conditions as due to the inability of Judah’s “God” to provide for them properly. They even go so far as to admit that their sins are “many” and have been committed “against Thee” [the LORD]. They appeal to the LORD as “the hope of Israel,” their “savior” in times of trouble. They question why He should decide to treat them like strangers or like any foreign traveler who might be passing through the land. They question why He is presenting Himself as one who is surprised at the condition of His people and is helpless to do anything on their behalf. They are aware that His covenant with Abraham is sure and that He has not totally abandoned them. They continue to appeal to Him on the fact that they are called by His name. His honor is at stake among the nations. It seems that suffering all of a sudden reminded the people of their history and they decided to model their prayer after those recorded by Moses in which he sought God’s mercy and forgiveness of the people based on His honor among the nations.

Numbers 14:11–16 “And the LORD said unto Moses, How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them? I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they. And Moses said unto the LORD, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for thou broughtest up this people in thy might from among them;) And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land: for they have heard that thou LORD art among this people, that thou LORD art seen face to face, and that thy cloud standeth over them, and that thou goest before them, by day time in a pillar of a cloud, and in a pillar of fire by night. Now if thou shalt kill all this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of thee will speak, saying, Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land which he sware unto them, therefore he hath slain them in the wilderness.”

Jer. 14:10 ¶ Thus saith the LORD unto this people, Thus have they loved to wander, they have not refrained their feet, therefore the LORD doth not accept them; he will now remember their iniquity, and visit their sins.

The LORD sends his answer to the people through His prophet. It’s interesting that He says “this” people, and not “My” people. He basically says that since the people so love to wander outside His will and act in disobedience according to their own will, He no longer takes pleasure in them. The time has come for them to be judged according to their sins.

The people of Israel/Judah had taken their relationship with God for granted and mistakenly thought that His love and mercy would override their need for judgment. I think that is often the mistake of many in the church today.

God is the source of love, and true love is motivated by what is right and best for those He loves. Sometimes love is best manifested in what is known as “tough love”—actions meant to put an end to bad behavior and bring about good behavior—actions that will result in future blessing, not cursing.

Jer. 14:11 Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.

Jer. 14:12 When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.

The LORD’s response seems harsh and determined. It would seem that the pleadings of the people were being made with an insincere heart. Again, He commands Jeremiah that he is not to pray on behalf of his people. The LORD is declaring that His ears are closed to the cries of the people and He will not accept their offerings and gifts. Instead, He intends to destroy the people by sword, famine and pestilence.

This wording is interesting because I believe God still uses these judgments today. Most would regard these as simply the evil actions of men against other men or normal cycles of nature—and sometimes they are. But I think one should always soberly consider the possibility that God is trying to get man’s attention—both the reprobate and the man of faith. Scripture is replete with references to the Creator making use of His creation to get the attention of both His people and His enemies, the enemies of His people.

Jer. 14:13 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

The tenderhearted Jeremiah tries to intercede with the LORD based on the lies that had been prophesied by the false prophets in His name. They had told the people that the LORD was going to give them peace, provide for them and protect them from the attack of their enemies.

Jer. 14:14 Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

The LORD stands firm. He declares that these prophets had not been sent by Him nor did they speak for Him. They were declaring false visions using witchcraft and deceit.

I believe they had opened themselves to and were being used by evil spirits.

Jer. 14:15 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

Jer. 14:16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them.

YHWH now declares that these false prophets would die at the hands of their enemies or from hunger. Those who listened to their prophecies would meet the same end. Death would come so suddenly to so many that there would not be enough people left to bury the dead. The LORD was going to give them over to the consequences of their wickedness.

I think it is significant to note that the LORD always holds His people accountable for discernment regarding those they choose to believe. He had revealed His will through Moses regarding what was acceptable and unacceptable behavior before Him. The people had chosen to reject His will and follow their own. The fact that they had been deceived by false prophets was a direct consequence of choosing to disobey God. That this was the choice of the people was revealed earlier in this study.

Jeremiah 5:31 “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so:”

The same is true today. God has revealed His truth and preserved it for the nations through His word. Even those without His word have the revelation of creation regarding the Creator, and God declares that sufficient to make them without excuse. His word is clear that those who seek Him will be found by Him.

Romans 1:19–20 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”

Psalms 9:9–10 “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

Jeremiah 29:13 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Jer. 14:17 ¶ Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow.

Jer. 14:18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

Jer. 14:19 Hast thou utterly rejected Judah? hath thy soul lothed Zion? why hast thou smitten us, and there is no healing for us? we looked for peace, and there is no good; and for the time of healing, and behold trouble!

In this section of verses the Lord is declaring His sorrow in light of the sins of His people. Maybe He is allowing Jeremiah to express His heart as he weeps for his people. Their sin had caused a great break in their relationship with the LORD and had resulted in severe judgment. The fields would be covered with the dead killed by the enemy. Those that had remained in the city would perish from hunger. The prophets and priests had been failures.

Because they listened to the false prophets, it seemed that God had rejected Judah; the people wonder—Is it forever? Had God totally cast off His people?

They also seemed to question why He would judge them so harshly and wonder if He is going to restore them to covenant relationship. They were expecting peace and healing, not war and trouble.

This is always the result of listening to false teachers. It establishes unrealistic expectations based on lies and deceit.

Jer. 14:20 We acknowledge, O LORD, our wickedness, and the iniquity of our fathers: for we have sinned against thee.

Following the previous verses, this seems a bit confusing. On the one hand, the people wonder why God would judge them; on the other hand, they acknowledge their sin and wickedness against the LORD.

Jer. 14:21 Do not abhor us, for thy name’s sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.

Jer. 14:22 Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

Again, the people plead with God based on His honor before the nations. They implore Him not to break covenant with them. It seems that they try to bribe Him by acknowledging that He is mighty in comparison to the “gods” of the heathen nations. He can cause rains at His will. In the light of His judgment they now declare that their trust is in Him.

It’s interesting that the people are quick to remind God about keeping covenant with them even though they had broken covenant with Him. Though they acknowledge their sin, they give no evidence of repentance.  It reminds me of those today who refuse to show any effort at trying to please God or serve Him in any way; yet when disaster comes, they are so ready to blame Him for allowing these bad things to happen. We always want to make God accountable for His actions without being held accountable for our actions, and we want that accountability to be according to our own standards—not His.