To “gird up the loins” is a phrase we see regularly in Scriptures. Although we are not involved with girding up a lengthy garment because of today’s dress, we are still familiar with the term as it relates to being ready to undertake some activity or responsibility.
A frame of mind
As we look at the use of this phrase in Scripture, it becomes apparent that the physical act is not as significant as the frame of mind involved.
One can see this in the action of the Master as “he gird a towel about him” (John 13:4). He was demonstrating to the disciples that “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant.” In I Peter 1:13, the phrase is directly applied to one’s frame of mind, for he writes, “gird up the loins of your mind.” This is a powerful exhortation to mentally prepare ourselves for vigorous service in Christ.
Old Testament context
The power of the phrase comes from an examination of the context of its usage in the Old Testament. The phrase invariably precedes some very significant action on the part of an individual.
For example, in 1 Kings 18:46 “Elijah girded up his loins and ran before Ahab to the entrance of kneel” – a distance of some 15 miles from Mt. Carmel.
In 2 Kings 4:29, Gehazi was commanded by Elisha to “Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way.” He was to accompany the “great woman of Shunem” to bring life again to her dead son. In the way, he was to be so focused on his task that “if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again.” All during the 16-mile trip, his only thoughts were to be on his appointed task.
Elisha requested that a man “gird up [his] loins.” This was said to one of the children of the prophets when he was given the task of anointing Jehu to be king. To accomplish his task, the prophet had to travel at least 65 miles by foot over hilly terrain. This was a major undertaking for the young man and, again, it was prefaced by the requirement that he “gird up his loins.”
As they waited to begin their journey to the promised land, the children of Israel were to eat the passover meal “with their loins girt.” They needed to be ready for action, action that would eventually span a generation.
We see, then, that to gird up one’s loins is a phrase associated with a very significant action, that precedes an important or time-consuming activity.
Our major undertaking
Peter, no doubt, has this background in mind when he tells us to gird up the loins of our mind. Peter says that we have a great mental task to undertake. And that is “To be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be ours at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
To be sober describes one who is attentive, watchful, one who has a clear, unclouded mind that is free from the intoxicating influences of the world. To be clear in thought, to be watchful and attentive is demonstrated in the New Testament as a task that cannot be taken for granted. There were several who could not remain alert at critical times. Five of the ten virgins fell asleep before properly providing oil for their lamps. Peter, James and John could not stay awake to pray for their own spiritual safety although they were only a stone’s-throw from Jesus as he prayed. One should never fall into the trap of thinking that being watchful or having a mind uncluttered with the influences of the world is an easy task. Peter introduces us to the magnitude of the task by associating it with the need to gird up the loins of the mind.
Hope to the end
Peter further expands the thought by associating the need to “gird up” with the exhortation to “hope to the end.” What is the hallmark of the faithful listed in Hebrews 11? Was it not that they all hoped to the end for the grace that was to be theirs. “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off…” They were watchful to the end. In the critical times of their lives, their minds were unclouded by worldly distractions.
Peter is giving us the formula for having our name inscribed permanently in the book of life– to hope to the end. What is our vision afar off; what do we see? Do we see beyond next week’s business appointments? Do we see beyond this summer’s holiday plans? Can we see beyond the fact that next year we may be one year further into our college education? To hope to the end is a trip more than 65 miles: it is a lifetime journey.
Surely a lifetime journey is a major undertaking and Peter introduces us to this fact by associating it with the need to “gird up the loins of the mind.” As Gehazi was to be focused in his task, to remain uninfluenced by those he may meet in the way, we, too, need to keep our minds focused (to be sober) on the task at hand.
Coming to the emblems
As we center our minds now on the passover lamb, let us do so with our minds “girded up.” If we can maintain our course until the end, hoping for the “grace that is to be brought unto us at the revelation of Jesus Christ” we will then have the indescribable blessing of being participants of that occasion when again the Master will “gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them” in loving welcome into his presence forever.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One