Jeremiah buries his underpants!

Jeremiah 13:11

For as the girdle clings to the loins of a man, so I caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me, says the Lord, that they might be for Me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory; but they would not listen or obey.

Jeremiah the priest prophet is hearing from God concerning Judah.  There are a few symbolic things that God tells Jeremiah, throughout the book, which represents Gods thoughts and feelings for the people of Israel, His chosen ones.

This is the first of these symbolic actions in which Jeremiah is instructed to take a loin cloth,  the one he was wearing, go to the river Euphrates, remove them and bury it.  If you did not know, a loin cloth is the equivalent to a pair of underpants.    It was to remain buried for a few days, after which Jeremiah was to dig it up again, and of course gets the picture that the loincloth was ruined and good for nothing.  A fairly graphic illustration that makes one wander why a loincloth?

Firstly, the loin cloth is a fairly intimate garment, used basically to keep mans privates covered up.  God was illustrating something intimate and deep here.

Secondly, The loin cloth removed and buried for a few days, then uncovered is an even more graphic illustration of ruination.  God was showing that as good for nothing as this loin cloth had become, so had the house of Judah become.  A very tragic situation.

God was being clear with Jeremiah, that Israel was meant to cling to Him like a loin cloth to a man, a very intimate description of the level of relationship God wanted with them, and yet they chose worthless idols, which were not even able to communicate back.  Israel chose to disobey Gods very best for them.

How about you and I?  Are we seeking an intimate relationship with God?  Are we obeying what He has revealed to us?  Does it not stir your heart that it is Gods desire to have this relationship with you? Do not be like the house of Judah,  who did not listen and disobeyed, making themselves good for nothing. Sounds harsh, but no point in mincing words.