Linen shorts (or a belt) were what the Lord told Jeremiah to go buy and wear for a while, but not to wash them. So he did. Then the Lord told Jeremiah to take the shorts off and hide them in a crack in a wall by a river. So he did. After a while the Lord told Jeremiah to go get the shorts. So he did. The shorts were rotted and ruined. Then the Lord told Jeremiah that he wanted the people of Judah to represent Him in the world, but they wouldn't follow His teachings. Then He told Jeremiah to tell the people to fill their wineskins. To which they would reply D'uh wineskins are filled with wine... To which Jeremiah was to reply that the people would be drunk. Then they would be smashed like filled wineskins (water balloons) and destroyed. Nothing could stop this. Jeremiah told the people what would happen to them. They would be punished for their sins. All the things they thought they were getting away with would be plainly shown for everyone to see. Their secrets would all be revealed.
After a drought the Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people, weep and try to find water, and there won't be any. The people were distraught, but the Lord couldn't trust them anymore, so He didn't believe them. Jeremiah told the Lord that the prophets were telling the people that they would not suffer sword or famine, but have peace. The Lord told Jeremiah the prophets lied and that they themselves would die by the sword and famine. And also that the people would die the same way and many tears would be shed. The people begged God, we know we're bad, but reward us anyway.
The Lord said that even if Moses and Samuel were standing before Him begging Him to change His mind He wouldn't. The Lord told Jeremiah to tell the people that whatever they were destined for was where they were going. There were 4 destroyers: the sword, the dogs, the birds, and the beasts. This reminds me of Revelation 6:8.
In short, there was no hope for them because they had not changed their ways. The sins of the people had bought them enslavement. Their wealth was a gift for their conquerors. Again the Lord offered them a chance to avoid death and destruction by repenting and serving Him. God wanted to save the people, but they wouldn't let Him.
The Lord told Jeremiah not to marry or have children in Judah because they will die. Also, not to mourn or show sympathy for the dead because He has withdrawn His blessing, love and pity for these people. There will be no comfort or consolation for those that mourn in the land. The celebrations of the people would soon be at an end.
Tomorrow read Jeremiah 16:10-20:18
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