The Scriptures are filled with object lessons—lessons that use a physical object to teach a spiritual truth. An example of this type of lesson can be seen in God’s dealings with the prophet Jeremiah.
In Jeremiah 13:1, God instructed Jeremiah: “Go and get yourself a linen sash, and put it around your waist, but do not put it in water.” God then had Jeremiah to hide the sash, and after a time, He instructed Jeremiah to retrieve what he had hidden. When Jeremiah did so, he found that the sash was ruined. “It was profitable for nothing” (Jeremiah 13:7).
The lesson was simple: Just as the linen sash that was buried in the ground no longer served its purpose, God’s people were no longer fulfilling their rightful roles when they rejected Him. And just as the sash became worthless, God’s people, because of their rejection of God, had become worthless as well.
Interestingly, God went on to use the sash to illustrate the kind of relationship that His people ought to have with Him. He stated:
“‘For as the sash clings to the waist of a man, so I have caused the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah to cling to Me,’ says the LORD, ‘that they may become My people, for renown, for praise, and for glory; but they would not hear’” (Jeremiah 13:11).
How sad it is when God’s people reject the very One who is willing to bless them! If the people of Judah had remained tied to God, He would have blessed them with fame, with praise, and with a position of eternal glory. And like them, God’s blessings await those who will faithfully serve Him today as well.
Jesus is truly the “author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). So if we will remain tied to God, rather than separating ourselves from Him, we can look forward to the “inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away” (1 Peter 1:4).
Are you tied to God?
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
Amen
Great analogy! He was such a great teacher with such very clear, easy to understand lessons. Thank you for pointing these lessons out to us!