Jeremiah 13  The Lord gives Jeremiah a task.  He had to buy a new linen waistband, a belt that would go around his waist.  He was to put it on and go to the Euphrates river.  There he was to take it off and hide it in a crevice of the rock.  The Euphrates river was not close by to Jerusalem.  It was in the northern most part of Israel, which was controlled by Assyria at that time. This was not a simple task for Jeremiah. It include a very long and dangerous journey, taking his brand new linen belt and putting in the ground.

".. after many days.."  the Lord told Jeremiah to go back to the Euphrates and dig up the linen waistband.  Once again, Jeremiah takes the long and dangerous journey north and retrieves the now ruined linen belt.

This is a visible illustration of God's declaration towards Judah and Israel:  ".. Just so will I destroy the pride of Judah and the great pride of Jerusalem.  This wicked people who refuse to listen to My words, who walk in stubbornness of their hearts and have gone after gods to serve them and to bow down to them, let them be just like this waistband, which is totally worthless. For as the waistband clings to the waist of a man, so I made the whole household of Israel and the whole household of Judah cling to Me, declares the Lord, that they might be for Me a people, for renown, for praise, and for glory, but they did not listen." ( v9-11)

Pride .  The sin that brings destruction.  It is a swelling of the ego.  The bragging of a fool.  The boasting of one's own accomplishments.  It is a haughty attitude.  It is arrogance.  Pride was Satan's sin.  It is also ours.  When we refuse to believe.  When we refuse to obey.  When we refuse to listen, just like Israel did.

" Pride goes before destruction , and a haughty spirit before stumbling. "  Proverbs 16:18
" When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom,"  Proverbs 11:2
"A man's pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor."  Proverbs 29:23

The Word tells us that arrogance deceives.. Obadiah 1:3.4 and Jeremiah 49:16.  No matter how high we try to rise, no matter how highly we think of ourselves, and no matter what others may think of us... if we do not recognize who God is.. if we do not fear Him or bow before Him in humility, if we refuse to listen to the Word of God and obey it.... we are like Jeremiah's linen belt.. worthless in God's eyes.

Father in heaven,  this thought brings such sadness to me.  All that Israel could have had.. they threw away for broken cisterns that could hold no water.  There is nothing new under the sun... we still do the same thing.. choosing worthless things, over the abundant life that is promised in Christ Jesus.  Until grace comes and our eyes are opened and our ears hear the Good News!  When we finally see You and know that You are God!  When we know that we are poor in spirit.. beggars that will die unless You save us.. when we humble ourselves in our sinfulness and find cleansing in the blood of the Lamb.. Oh how wonderful is our Savior!   You asked Judah, " How long will you remain unclean?" ( v27).  You ask each of the same.   Lord with great humility, we say,   " Wash me and I will be clean.. my crimson stains will be whiter than snow."  Hallelujah!  what a Savior.
Praise and glory and honor to Your Name.
Amen.