What happensPermalink
God tells Jeremiah to wear a linen loincloth, hide it in a rock cleft, and retrieve it ruined. As a loincloth clings to its wearer, God intended Israel and Judah to cling to Him and become His people, praise, and glory, but they refused to listen. Therefore He will ruin Judah’s pride. Wine-filled jars picture drunken confusion and destruction among rulers, priests, prophets, and people. Jeremiah pleads for repentance and weeps at the coming exile, but Judah’s evil has become habitual. God will scatter the people and expose the shame of their idolatry.
Why it mattersPermalink
God drew Israel and Judah close for an intimate covenant relationship. Their pride and idolatry have spoiled that purpose, like the ruined garment. The comparison with skin and spots describes how ingrained Judah’s evil habits have become. Jeremiah still calls them to humility and grieves over their refusal.
Key versePermalink
Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? Then also you can do good who are accustomed to do evil.