The scripture often uses pictures to teach. Jeremiah is given two pictures from God to help him understand what God is doing and to help him explain to the people of Israel what he is doing. The linen belt and the wineskins are vivid pictures of what God is doing. The belt hidden in the rock becomes useless because of what happens to it and the wineskins and drunkenness display the effects of God’s judgment as well. Why is the Lord doing this? 13:8-10 makes it clear.
The people are full of pride. They are wicked–meaning doing what God has told them not to do. They refuse to listen to God’s word. They are stubborn. They “go after” other gods. The do not only NOT listen to the one true God, but the run after other gods that are not gods at all! This is why Jeremiah calls it “prostitution.” Israel is not only turning away from God’s love. Like lustful men who run around finding prostitutes, they are literally chasing around finding other gods to give their love and devotion to. They are serving and worshiping other gods.
This sounds horrible. And it is easy for us to see in others. But it can be true of us, too. The human heart is prone to wander and seems always to be easily wooed away from God and his word. We, too, refuse to listen. In our stubbornness we think we know better and do not obey God’s word. We follow after other “gods.” The god of money or work or sex or drugs or pride or possessions or another person. Our gods are not statues that we bow down to, they are things and people in our lives that take the place of God–the rightful place of God. The love and devotion and service that belongs to him we frequently give to others. This is wrong and if we do not repent and turn again to follow God he will judge us for our sin.
All it takes is repentence and following God’s instructions. If only WE will listen. We will be blessed.