Jeremiah

Jeremiah 13: The LORD humbles proud Judah

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the LORD speak to proud Judah, let us come to Him together. Ask Him to make our hearts humble, to lead our family in His ways, and to show us Christ, who humbled Himself for us.

Yahweh, my heart isn’t haughty, nor my eyes lofty; nor do I concern myself with great matters, or things too wonderful for me.

Psalms 131:1

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You humble the proud, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The LORD tells Jeremiah to hide a linen belt by the Euphrates, where it is ruined (verses 1 to 7). The LORD says Judah’s pride will be ruined in the same way (verses 8 to 11). The people say every bottle will be filled with wine, and the LORD turns that saying into judgment (verses 12 to 14). Jeremiah urges them not to be proud, and to give glory to the LORD before darkness comes (verses 15 and 16). He weeps in secret for their pride, because the LORD’s flock has been taken captive (verse 17). He tells the king and queen mother to humble themselves (verses 18 and 19). The LORD asks whether a leopard can change its spots, so those used to evil cannot do good (verse 23).

As you read Jeremiah 13, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD will humble the proud, and He calls His people to give Him glory.

The linen belt pictured Judah’s close bond with the LORD, as a belt clings to a man’s waist (verse 11). The belt was ruined and good for nothing, just as the LORD says Judah’s pride will be (verses 7 to 10). Jeremiah went to the Euphrates, a river far from Jerusalem, and returned after many days (verses 4 to 6). The people answered that every jar would be filled with wine, and the LORD turns that saying into judgment (verses 12 to 14). The king and queen mother were warned to humble themselves, because the crown of their glory had come down (verse 18). Glory belongs to the LORD, and people who take it for themselves will stumble in darkness (verses 15 and 16). Jesus humbled Himself to bear the judgment of sinners, and God exalts those who humble themselves before Him.

How does Jeremiah 13 show us that the LORD humbles the proud, and calls His people to give Him glory?

The LORD ruins the pride that clings to itself.

The belt came back ruined, so the LORD says Judah’s pride will be ruined too (verses 7 to 10). The people refused to hear His words and walked in the stubbornness of their hearts (verse 10). The LORD had made them cling to Him to be His people and His praise, but they would not listen (verse 11).

God’s people must not be proud.

Jeremiah says, “Don’t be proud; for Yahweh has spoken” (verse 15). The LORD calls them to give glory to Him before darkness comes (verse 16). If they will not listen, darkness will come and their feet will stumble on the dark mountains (verse 16).

God’s people give Him the glory.

The king and queen were told to humble themselves, because their crown had come down (verse 18). The LORD’s flock had been taken captive, and Jeremiah wept for them (verse 17). The glory belonged to the LORD, and no crown could take its place (verse 16).

Memorize

Hear, and give ear. Don’t be proud; for Yahweh has spoken.

Jeremiah 13:15

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what pride keeps me from giving God glory, and have I brought it to Jesus?

The LORD told Jeremiah to hide a linen belt by the Euphrates. When Jeremiah dug it up, the belt was ruined and good for nothing. “Hear, and give ear.” The LORD warned, “Don’t be proud,” because proud Judah had forgotten Him and was as useless as that belt.

Jesus came into the world to save proud sinners, and He humbled Himself to bear the judgment we deserved. He died on the cross for His people, and His work is finished. It is enough for every sinner who trusts Him. God raised Him on the third day, and He is exalted above every name.

Repent of your pride, and give glory to God by trusting Jesus. Turn from the things you trust in place of Him, and come to Him as one who has nothing to boast of. The Lord forgives every humble heart that comes to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD calls His people not to be proud, and to give Him glory. Parents, you may want to explain the belt, and verses 22 to 27 on Jerusalem’s shame, in your own words. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His glory, and bring the heart question to Him. Let each child say one short prayer if they wish.

For though Yahweh is high, yet he looks after the lowly; but the proud, he knows from afar.

Psalms 138:6

Lord, You are holy, and every glory belongs to You. Forgive our pride, and bring each of us low before You in repentance. Please give us humble hearts that trust Jesus, and help us to give You glory this week. Amen.