Study From the Book of Jeremiah,13

Study From the Book of Jeremiah,13

Today is the thirteenth   part of this series, where we study chapter 13. Here there are  two biblical principles and lessons which are useful in biblical counselling.

Jeremiah often used graphic illustration to simulate curiosity and communicate lessons of truth. Jeremiah’s waistcloth was ruined, so Judah’s pride would be reduced to ruin as Judah defiled itself by its allegiances to Assyria, Babylon and their national deities.

Jeremiah then used quotation of a well-known proverb of the blessing of plentiful wine. The wine jars would be smashed and broken, a picture of a devastating nation.

Jeremiah had been told not to pray for the rebellious and unresponsive people of Judah, but here he expresses in secret his deep lament for the Lord’s flock who had been carried away into exile as the nation had reinforced its habit of doing evil for so long that it did not know how to do good.

Structure:

Verses 1-11: symbol of the linen sash

Verses 12-14: symbol of the wine bottles.

Verses 15-17: pride precedes captivity  

Principle 22: 13:1    --"Thus the Lord said to me: ‘ Go and get yourself a linen sash, and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water’.”

Lesson 22: God often had His prophets participate in graphic object lessons, but frequently He didn’t tell them what He was up to until after they had obey even when God’s instructions don’t seem to make much sense.

Principle 23: 13:11: ---“I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,” says the Lord, “that they may become My people, for renown, for praise and for glory---”

Lesson 23: Here we see the heart of God; a passionate longing to become one with His people, to bless them, to identify them with Him in such a way that they receive honour and He receives glory. 18/2/2024