Jeremiah 13:1-11 (ESV)
1 Thus says the LORD to me, “Go and buy a linen loincloth and put it around your waist, and do not dip it in water.”
2 So I bought a loincloth according to the word of the LORD, and put it around my waist.
3 And the word of the LORD came to me a second time,
4 “Take the loincloth that you have bought, which is around your waist, and arise, go to the Euphrates and hide it there in a cleft of the rock.”
5 So I went and hid it by the Euphrates, as the LORD commanded me.
6 And after many days the LORD said to me, “Arise, go to the Euphrates, and take from there the loincloth that I commanded you to hide there.”
7 Then I went to the Euphrates, and dug, and I took the loincloth from the place where I had hidden it. And behold, the loincloth was spoiled; it was good for nothing.
8 Then the word of the LORD came to me:
9 “Thus says the LORD: Even so will I spoil the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.
10 This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who stubbornly follow their own heart and have gone after other gods to serve them and worship them, shall be like this loincloth, which is good for nothing.
11 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.

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 to prove a point! Imagine the smell.
The loincloth! Our modern-day everyday underwear, 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 important need of the word of God and His love.
The loincloth was corrupted Vs 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 obeys 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? Anything and anyone can be used by the Lord if humble and obedient.
The loincloth represents the people of Judah and by reference every believer, Vs 9, 10. God chose us for His service and glory, but we turn away and serve other gods just 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 Vs11 is that of “clinging” to something. Loincloth! Belt, short and girdle are used in other translations to describe how we should treat and act with the word of God. We should cling, Clive and hold on to it desperately.
The people, who 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 desperate for people to give them a hearing, a lot of people still refuse the word of God.
God is saying that when we cling to His word and wrap ourselves in God and dwell in His courts; He will favour us with his presence, and encouraged us to follow after Him, and cleave to Him in faith and affection, His special and peculiar people above all others, specially 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.
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