The linen sash. God commands Jeremiah to illustrate a message to the people through a symbolic act. The prophet was to make a sash of linen, a fine fabric that was used for the priestly garments (Exod. 28.39). It was to be worn as part of his clothing.

When placed on “his loins,” that is, around his waist next to his skin, it would symbolize the intimate communion that the Lord wanted to have with Israel.

The Most High was teaching the man can only have life and fulfill His purposes when he is connected to Him. He also instructed that the sash should not be washed to represent the dirt accumulated from their lack of repentance.

As long as the sash was new and clean, it showed the purity and holiness of their first love. but when it became dirty, it revealed the spiritual and moral filth of those who had broken their Covenant with God. Israel had been chosen by the Most High to be a kingdom of priests, a sign of their spiritual position in the world (Exod. 19.6). Yet they failed by disregarding His Holy Commandments.