It’s kind of an interesting object lesson . . . pretty sure there are depths to be plumbed here which I’m not picking up at first glance. But what I do get is that the people of God had fallen short . . . way short of the purpose for which God had formed them. Conversely, what I’m moved by is the high and holy calling God has for those who He redeems for His own.

“For as the loincloth clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah cling to me, declares the LORD, that they might be for Me a people, a name, a praise, and a glory, but they would not listen.” (Jeremiah 13:11 ESV)

Ok . . . so I’m not too familiar with the concept of a loincloth . . . not something I have ever personally used . . . neither have I worn one, nor have I ever used (or thought to use) one as an object lesson. But with some of my handy “helps” I get that it was an inner garment — it was worn up close and personal . . . a piece of clothing that wrapped around the lower waist area . . . and, it was something that God chose to use as an object lesson.

God tells Jeremiah to go buy a linen loincloth and to wear it. Then God tells Jeremiah to go to the Euphrates (i.e. Babylon) and hide the loin cloth amid some rocks. After “many days”, God has Jeremiah go and retrieve the loincloth. Jeremiah does so and finds, of course, that “the loincloth was spoiled, it was good for nothing” (13:7). Object lesson? The people of Jacob were like a loincloth . . . something that God had purchased and desired to wear close to Him . . . but because of their rebellion they would be abandoned . . . left to fair for themselves . . . apart from God . . . left among the rocks . . . becoming “good for nothing.”

Not exactly your “pick me up” sort of morning devo reading. But what grabs me, apart from the lesson learned from wayward Israel and Judah, is God’s original desire and purpose for His people. A desire and purpose I think translates to the people of His calling today.

God has redeemed a people that He longs to be close to . . . and, desires that they, in turn, would long to be close to Him. God is calling out a people who would want to cling to Him . . . a holy nation who would seek to cleave to their King . . . a band of pilgrims whose great desire is to pursue closely the things of their God.

What’s more, beyond the close relationship He desires with His own, He wants His reputation, His renown, His name to be associated with them. God, in my mind, takes a risk and looks to His people as a means of conveying His praise and His glory. If I were God I might have left it to “the heavens” to declare my glory (Ps. 19:1) . . . but God has determined to save sinners by His grace . . . and to draw them near to Himself in close relationship . . . and to allow them to be part of the visible representation of His glory.

Talk about your place of privilege . . . brought near, able to cleave to the God of Creation in intimate personal relationship! Talk about your high and holy calling . . . to be a people, a name, a praise, and a glory for Him who is enthroned in heaven . . . the Sovereign . . . the King of kings, the Lord of lords.

Oh, to be, as it were, a loincloth that is not spoiled because of complacency . . . that is not rendered “good for nothing” because of pride and the pursuit of “other gods.” Instead, to “draw near” . . . pursuing, as much as lies in me, the nearness of relationship God desires. And, to “step up” . . . by His power . . . doing all that I can to allow the Spirit of God in me to freely do all that He is able to do to shape me into a trophy of God’s grace . . . that I might be a part of the people who bear His name . . . who declare His praise . . . who live for His glory.

Hmmm . . . a loincloth. Who knew it could be such an object lesson . . .