Having said that Judah would come under this judgment of Jehovah, in Jeremiah 13 symbolic action is introduced; that is, a sign to show what is coming. "Go and get thee a linen girdle, and put it upon thy loins, and put it not in water. So I got a girdle according to the word of the Lord, and put it on my loins. And the word of Jehovah came unto me the second time saying, Take the girdle that thou hast got, which is upon thy loins, and arise, go to Euphrates, and hide it there in a hole of the rock. So I went, and hid it by Euphrates, as Jehovah commanded me. And it came to pass after many days, that Jehovah said unto me, Arise, go to Euphrates, and take the girdle from thence which I commanded thee to hide there. Then I went to Euphrates, and digged, and took the girdle from the place where I had hid it: and, behold, the girdle was marred, it was profitable for nothing" (verses 1 -7).
And the word of Jehovah then explains this sign. "Thus saith Jehovah, after this manner will I mar the pride of Judah, and the great pride of Jerusalem. This evil people which refuse to hear My words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing. For as the girdle cleaveth to the loins of a man, so have I caused to cleave unto Me the whole house of Israel and the whole house of Judah, saith Jehovah; that they might be unto Me for a people, and for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory: but they would not hear. Therefore thou shalt speak unto them this word; Thus saith Jehovah God of Israel, Every bottle shall be filled with wine: and they shall say unto thee Do we not certainly know that every bottle shall be filled with wine? "
So now the people are bidden to heed the warning. "Hear ye, and give ear; be not proud: for Jehovah hath spoken. Give glory to the Lord your God, before He cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and while ye look for light, He turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. But if ye will not hear it my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because Jehovah's flock is carried away captive. Say unto the king and unto the queen, Humble yourselves, sit down: for your principalities shall come down, even the crown of your glory. The cities of the south shall be shut up, and none shall open them: Judah shall be carried away captive all of it, it shall be wholly carried away captive. Lift up your eyes, and behold them that come from the north: where is the flock that was given thee, thy beautiful flock? What wilt thou say when he shall punish thee? for thou hast taught them to be captains, and as chief over thee: shall not sorrows take thee, as a woman in travail?" Thus, in striking language it is made known that woe is coming upon Jerusalem to the full.