The Marred Marks of Pride
Michelle James
"Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates (which means fruitfulness), and hide it there in a hole of the rock.
And it came to pass after many days, that the LORD said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence, which I commanded thee to hide there.
Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing."
Jeremiah 13:4,6-7
I love how the Lord uses this direction to show the damaging effects of pride. We know it is destructive, but here we can take a few points and expound a bit.
1st, a girdle is a belt. Originally intended to go around the waist, yet Jeremiah is instructed to place it upon his thigh. Not only that but he was told not to put it in water (vs. 1). Hummm, what would water do? Make it pliable for the one who uses it!
2nd, Jeremiah was instructed to HIDE it in a hole. Only the Lord would know that the sandy soils would break down the materials it was made of. As I pondered this specific, it hit me that this also represents being submerged in the world! Let that sink in...
He sums it up here...
"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."(vs 9-10)
Lastly, we can safely agree from the text, pride is a costly ornament to wear. It costs us the God given structure He's designed. Plus we forsake the fruitfulness and usefulness He has indeed intended for us. Though we 'think' we know what we want or what is best, pride most definitely leads us astray from the will of God for our lives.
For the full encounter of the marred girdle, I encourage you to fully read (and prayerfully reread) Jeremiah 13:1-11
Disobedience isn't ever as rewarding as the enemy would slyly love for us to believe. Humility will take us farther, every time!
