Are we for adorning ourselves or for being part of greater things? There is a descriptive action picture, where the prophet Jeremiah enacts a grand theatre about a girdle. Before you think modern girdle, think weapon carrier, cargo pants and action-money belt all in one.
Ancient prophets weren't so much about predicting the future: they were moral directors that offered choices of future: either to give up pride, repent and receive good or remain proud and be punished with obliterating evils. However, after long forbearance Jeremiah's mission was to deliver an unpalatable message: I know your stubborn pride and it's all over, so the evil is coming.
However the Great Creator wishes never to be misunderstood and the rebellious people then, and us today, are both shown in graphic detail something truly magnificent, if we wish to take hold of it.
Jeremiah was asked to get a new linen girdle. Though linen, the Hebrew word ezor is not the term for the priestly girdle, but the common daily one, it means 'to bind'. All wore robes, so the girdle was essential item of wear- it held the garment in place to allow all work to be done. But it was more than essential for garment control, it was pockets, a tool belt and a third hand.
The common girdle was made of leather (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4), like that worn by the Bedouins of the present day, whom Curzon describes as "armed with a long crooked knife, and a pistol or two stuck in a red leathern girdle" (Monast. of the Levant, page 7)... A finer girdle was made of linen (Jeremiah 13:1; Ezekiel 16:10), embroidered with silk, and sometimes with gold and silver thread (Daniel 10:5; Revelation 1:13; 15:6), and frequently studded with gold and precious stones or pearls (Le Bruyn, Trav. 4:170; comp.Virgil, AEneid, 9:359). Morier (Second Journey, page 150), describing the dress of the Armenian women, says, "They wear a silver girdle which rests on the hips, and is generally curiously wrought." The manufacture of girdles formed part of the employment of women (Proverbs 31:24). The girdle was fastened by a clasp or buckle (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:4) of gold or silver, or tied in a knot (Jeremiah 13:1; Ezekiel xvi, 10), so that the ends hung down in front, as in the figures on the ruins of Persepolis.
https://biblebento.com/msc/MSC24211.html
Jeremiah was of the priests (Jer 1:1), who were known to wear white linen girdles with embroidery. We are not told, but clearly this girdle was to be something special; It's not his normal tool belt.
Jeremiah however was to not ever wash that white lovely linen girdle he wore. Possibly it's summer. Possibly it's hot. The girdle holds the money bags, the ink horn and it's used to hold up the sweaty robe against the body every time any work is done. We don't know how long he wore it unwashed but at some point he is told to take off the girdle and take it to dig and bury it under a rock by Perath translated Euphrates. Some debate whether it was a great journey to the great river Euphrates or a short trip of 3 miles to a small mountain stream (ferrelljenkins.blog). Most recognise that it's not the point, though some note that the Euphrates is significant. Those who went into captivity crossed the Euphrates and Abraham crossed it to enter the land. The point is Jeremiah was to dig it up and return with an exhibit: a damaged tool-belt so damaged it was unusable: “good for nothing.”
Let us listen: First there is the message to them; this is the prophecy, because you have been proud – doing your own thing which is unwashed filth, it will destroy both your beauty and your function.
Thus saith the LORD, “After this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.” (Jeremiah 13:9-10)
How are people made good for nothing? They lose their nationhood, their power to do independent work, being made slaves to others' wills.
Then let us consider what the real point for us is:
For as the girdle cleaves to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith the LORD; that they might be unto me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear. (Jeremiah 13:11)
For a name: what name? It's hidden in plain sight untranslated in Hebrew. The name of the God of Israel is Yahweh Elohim, which, ignoring arguments as to pronunciation, translated means 'He who will be Mighty Ones' (see here). In selecting Abraham, Isaac and Israel for their faith, the descendents, as a mighty multitude, were to continue to be so close to the great Power of the universe, they were to hold His robes or tools for any work He was to do. All the Creator's work was, and is, and is to be praiseworthy and to therefore radiate a great glory for the rightness of the Creator's laws, commands and way.
But they would not hear Yahweh's way, because they were proud and certain of their own ways. Imagine you have a special garment you rely on: your tool-belt and it turns up good for nothing: it would make you sad. But as the work of God is about eternal things, the Creator weeps.
Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for the LORD hath spoken. Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive. Say unto the king and to the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory. (Jeremiah 13:15-18)
Many think they have this thing called self esteem, tall on their own soap box of self importance, and pride. Those in power may think the things they achieve are their own glory. The Creator of the universe says the proud shall be brought down and thrown out like useless rags, instead He is looking to find praise and glory in those who will cleave closely to Him, and be his clean washed white linen girdle, to do His work. His work is His purpose in his Name to become a multitude of mighty in the humble, who show forth and point to the right ways of all things prasieworthy and worthy of Glory.
Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.
(Jer 9:23-24)
But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. (2 Cor 10:17)
For more Clothing Glory and Beauty
