Chapter 725 of 1163

JEREMIAH 13

Jeremiah sometimes preached object lesson sermons, parables in action using familiar things. Like our Lord’s parables, they got the attention of the people and awakened the interest of the indifferent.

The sash (1–11) was probably part of the priestly garments, which would make it especially holy. As long as the people clung to God in humble obedience, He was glorified. When they defiled themselves in pride, they became ruined and useless like the sash under the rock. Too proud to repent, Judah ended up in the darkness (vv. 15–17).

The bottles (12–14) represented the leaders and the people who were all empty of spiritual life. God would fill them with drunkenness, which symbolizes judgment (25:15–25). Then He would smash the bottles and show no pity.

The flock (15–22) is a familiar picture of God’s people (Ps. 100:3). Their leaders were to be like loving shepherds; instead, they were selfish hirelings. The sheep would be taken to slaughter by the invaders.

The Ethiopian and the leopard (23) were reminders that Judah’s sin was deeper than the skin and could not easily be removed by some superficial means. Disobedience was such a habit with the people that it was part of their very nature.

Useless, broken, and slaughtered because of sin too deep to be removed: those are the sad consequences of pride and disobedience.

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