Jeremiah 13:1-11 MEV
Thus says the LORD to me, “Go and buy yourself a linen waistband and put it upon your loins, and do not put it in water.”
[2] So I bought a waistband according to the word of the LORD and put it on my loins.
[3] The word of the LORD came to me the second time, saying,
[4] “Take the waistband that you have, which is upon your loins, and arise, go to the Euphrates and hide it there in a hole of the rock.”
[5] So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the LORD had commanded me.
[6] After many days the LORD said to me, “Arise, go to the Euphrates and take the waistband from there, which I commanded you to hide there.”
[7] Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and took the waistband from the place where I had hidden it. But the waistband was destroyed. It was profitable for nothing.
[8] Then the word of the LORD came to me:
[9] Thus says the LORD: After this manner I will destroy the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem. [10] This evil people, who refuse to hear My words, who walk in the imagination of their hearts, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall be even as this waistband which is good for nothing.
[11] For as the waistband cleaves to the loins of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cleave to Me, says the LORD, so that they might be to Me a people for renown, and for a praise, and for a glory; but they would not listen.

I am very certain that most will look at the title and think “what’s this about underwear?” why would there be an underwear principle in God’s word?”
Imagine being asked to buy something purposely for an experiment for destruction! Or having to wear your underwear without washing it to prove a point! Imagine the smell!
The loincloth! Our modern-day everyday underwear is a piece of clothing that we all need and wear daily, and the closest item of clothing worn next to the skin. We buy underwear from wherever we like, in whatever shape and colours we like but imagine the Lord asking you to purposely buy a “loincloth,” underwear for God to prove to us the importance of His word and love.
The loincloth was corrupted in verse 7; it’s now rotten from being left too long in wasteland water: the loincloth was good for nothing; it could no longer be worn; nor was it fit for any other use; it was spoilt. We too could become unfit for God to use if we are not in His will and purpose.
The prophet Jeremiah was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: he obeyed all of God’s instructions. His express order and command: he put on the ruined loincloth; without washing it before or after, and he wore it publicly for some time. Will you do so if God instructs you to? Anything and anyone can be used by the Lord if they are humble and obedient.
The loincloth represents the people of Judah and by reference, every believer as seen in verses 9 and 10. God chose us for His service and glory, but we turn away and serve other gods just like the Israelis did. As the loincloth lost its beauty and usefulness, so we will lose our beauty and usefulness in life without the word and Spirit of God.
The imagery of verse 11 is that of “clinging” to something. Loincloth! Belt, short and girdle are used in other translations to describe how we should act and treat the word of God. We must cling, Clive and hold on to it with desperation.
Some so many people refuse to hear God’s word that He sends by His prophets, pastors, and leaders to whom we sometimes turn a deaf ear; and though these leaders keep pressing in with the word and are desperate for people to give them a hearing, a lot of people still reject God’s word.
God is saying that when we cling to His word and wrap ourselves in Him and dwell in His courts; He will favour us with his presence, and encourage us to follow after Him, and cleave to Him in faith and affection as His special and peculiar people above all others, especially favoured and blessed by Him and He will make us a name, and praise for His glory; He will make us His famous and renowned people.
Clinging to the Lord keeps us grounded in the storms of life, so, tighten your loincloth, your underwear, your belt, and cling to the Lord in desperation for His guidance and leading, a tightened loincloth will not fall off in any situation and will keep us anchored in the Lord.
Tighten your underwear for the journey.
Shalom