Read Jeremiah 13:1-11
The "linen belt" that Jeremiah was told to go and purchase (v.1) was the garment most closely associated with a man, and it also possessed a certainly priestly significance. It was meant to represent, therefore, a people who had been bought by God for His own personal possession, and who were living close to Him day by day.
In the ordinary course of events, the linen belt, after having been worn for a time would become soiled and need to be washed. The water normally used for this purpose is intended to represent the repentance and cleansing by which Israel might be forgiven and restored; but since she had persistently refused this provision made by God, the prophet was told specifically not to dip it in the water (v.1), but to go and conceal it in a cleft of a rock by the river.
Here it seems to have been left for quite a considerable time (v.6), until in the end the prophet was told to go and recover it. When he did so, he found it very much the worse for wear and, in fact, "ruined and completely useless" (v.7).
And so, because His people had refused the normal process of restoration, God would have to send them into exile. This would not last forever, but when, "many days later," God came to their rescue, they would be but a tattered remnant of their former greatness and glory.
Lord, help me to listen the first time You speak to me in rebuke or warning, and never refuse to hear Your words. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Image: Jeremiah hiding his linen belt
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