Глава 13

After this, the Prophet receives an order to buy (Jer. 13:1) a linen “loincloth,” and girdle his loins with it, then hide it by the Euphrates River; which command he fulfilled immediately. But after many days he was again commanded to bring a loin." And the Prophet did as the Lord commanded him, and taking the “loin” in his hands, he found it rotten and completely unfit for use. Then he hears what the Lord says to him: Jer.13:9. Thus will I destroy the pride of Judah, and the pride of Jerusalem, much of the pride of these wicked people, (Jer. 13:10) “If they do not want to listen to My words, they who walk in the uprightness of their hearts” of the evil one, “and who follow strange gods, let them serve them and worship them: and they will be like the thigh of that one who is needed for nothing.” This means God is staying in Babylon; because the Euphrates cuts this city into two parts. And at the Euphrates, in a “cleft in the stone,” he was ordered to hide his loins. The Prophet called Babylon a “cleft” of stone. And there the Jewish people remained, they were “needed for nothing,” and were no longer called the people of God, were not governed by themselves, did not perform divine services according to the law, but were as indecent as this rotten loin. The following words explain the need of the loin. Jer.13:11. Because, as a loin clings to the loins of a man, so have I cleave the house of Israel, and the whole house of Judah, says: “Lord: let people be named to Me, both for praise and for glory, and those who do not listen to Me.” With these words, God expressed the immensity of goodness, showed what kind of union He was in with the Jews, how he wanted to make them glorious and known everywhere, but they themselves brought reproach upon themselves by their iniquity. Thus, having depicted the prophecy not in a word, but in a thing, he again predicts future events under a different image. Jer.13:12. Thus saith the Lord God of Israel: Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and it shall come to pass, if they speak unto thee, that they know not to eat, that every bottle shall be filled with wine? (Jer. 13:13) “And you said to them: This says the Lord: Behold, I will fill all the inhabitants of this land, and the kings who sit from the tribe of David on his throne,” then the “Prophets and Priests” and all the people continue with “drunkenness.” And explaining what kind of “drunkenness” this is, he added: Jer.13:14. And I will waste them, the husband and his brother, and their fathers and their sons together, says the Lord. And showing the immutability of anger, he added: “I will not desire, I will not spare, and I will not have mercy, lest I destroy them.” That’s why he called the punishment “drunkenness”; because, having been subjected to the greatest calamities, they were like those immersed in a deep sleep, and from the immensity of suffering they could not cry. Jeremiah 13:15. Hear, and take heed, and do not be exalted, as the Lord has spoken. Put an end to insolence and insane arrogance, and accept what is said to you as from God Himself. Jer.13:16. Give glory to the Lord our God, before it will even become dark, and before your feet will even stumble toward the dark mountains. Warn the time of punishment, says the Prophet. The Divine Apostle also advises this: “Let us therefore do what is good until now, imams” (Gal. 6:10). “And you will wait for the light, and there will be the shadow of death, and you will be cast into darkness.” During the punishment itself, begging for philanthropy, you will not receive what you ask for. Jer.13:17. And if you do not listen, your soul will weep in secret from the face of pride, and it will weep, and your eyes will be filled with tears, as if the flock of the Lord is wiped out. What was said: “he will mourn in secret” makes it clear that the disasters are excessive. For in slavery to enemies you will not dare to cry openly, but you will do it secretly. He commands the king and princes to mourn the vicissitudes of affairs, and also reminds them of what has already happened. Jer.13:19. The cities of the south are closed, and there is no opening: all Judah is delivered, complete the migration, complete, i.e. enslavement; because Sennacherib enslaved the inhabitants of many cities of Judah. They suffered this, says the Prophet, as punishment for their sins. But he also commands Jerusalem to turn its attention to the multitude of enemies coming from the north, and adds: Jeremiah 13:20. Where is the flock given to you, the sheep of your glory? i.e. where there is a large number of inhabitants. Jer.13:21. What are you saying when they visit you? i.e. enemies. “And you, you taught them to be the authorities”; because when the Syrians waged war on them, they called on the Assyrians for help, while they were supposed to seek God’s providence for them. “Sickness will overtake you like a woman giving birth.” Depicted the severity of the disease. Jer.13:22. If you say in your heart: Why did this come to me? Because of the multitude of your iniquity, your back is revealed; let your feet be cursed. . Such exposure is shameful for those exposed to it. Therefore, says the Prophet, if you are naked, did not your sins give rise to these disasters for you? Jer.13:23. If the Ethiopian changes his skin, and the lynx changes his mottled colors, then you can do good by learning evil. It is true that habit is second nature. As a result of long-term skill, everything voluntary became equal to the natural one. Therefore, God threatens to scatter them like stalks scattered everywhere by a storm. He also lists the many sins of Jerusalem, lewdness, insolence, service to idols. Calls him (Jer.13:27). “alienation of fornication”, and therefore adds: “I saw your abominations on the mountains and in the villages.” Then, as if mourning, he says: Jer.13:27. Woe to you Jerusalem, for you have not been purified by following Me until yet! Having dared to commit many iniquities, you did not want to take advantage of repentance. But I will not show more patience, but will impose punishment. Therefore, it would be better for you to live according to divine laws. But since it is common for people to fall, it was necessary to use the medicine of repentance, and thereby appease the Judge, and at the same time avoid experiencing through experience the threatened punishments, which may we also not experience by the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ! With Him be glory and power to the Father with the All-Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto the ages of ages! Amen.