Jeremiah 39:18: “For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the LORD.”
There is a hero in the Old Testament that is not very famous. I had not remembered who this man was by the name of Ebed-Melich. But Ebed-Melech was used to save the prophet Jeremiah’s life in one of the bleakest moments in his entire life. This high-ranking official in King Zedekiah’s court, risked his life and career to rescue Jeremiah from being held in a muddy cistern that was a murder plot against Jeremiah. Ebed-Melech did not let fear keep him from his pursuit of justice. Jeremiah could have drowned, die of exposure, or starve to death in this tank. The cistern was dark, damp, and Jeremiah sank into the mud (Jeremiah 38-39).
Cisterns in Bible times were used to store water. They were usually pear shape and were 15 to 20 feet deep. They were large and were even used as hiding places for fugitives, burial places, and even prison cells, such as happened to Jeremiah.
Ebed-Melech was a man of integrity. He was an officer in the royal palace. He used his position to serve God. Jeremiah had repeatedly been persecuted for proclaiming the truth of God and warning against rejecting His authority for 40 years. He was beaten, ignored, threatened, lied about, jailed, and forced to leave his homeland. But God used his faithful friend, Ebed-Melech, who feared God more than men, and courageously spoke to King Zedekiah on Jeremiah’s behalf about this outrageous injustice that had happened to Jeremiah. He was so persuasive that the king reversed his previous decision of arranging Jeremiah’s death. The king instructed Ebed-Melech to take thirty men to help lift Jeremiah out of the cistern “before he dies (Jeremiah 38:10).” So Ebed-Melech took these men and went to the king’s closet in a storehouse, and took old rags and worn-out clothes to make them into a rope. Ebed-Melech rescued Jeremiah by having him use these as pads under his armpits, and they pulled him up with the ropes they had made, and lifted him out of the cistern. And we think we have fallen into a sunken pit in life!
When we are at the bottom and don’t know what to do, remember, God is in control. We never know who God will use in our life to help council, give words of comfort, act in boldness and not give into fear on our behalf, and be part of the astounding solution. When you are treated unjustly or unkindly, pray for an Ebed-Melich to be sent your way, on your behalf, by the God who is all-powerful, the good shepherd, provider, ever-present, and the giver of peace.
Remember, God does not forget those who take a stand for Him. The places God puts us in are opportunities to be a courageous voice for the truth of the gospel.
Questions:
Who has been an example to you of having courageous faith?
Have you been reminded recently that this world is not your home? How has it affected your thoughts and actions?
I need to remember that God is always standing right in my corner. Ebed-Melech was Jeremiah’s defending miracle provided by God, due to his boldness and faith in God. Ebed-Melech did not go along with the crowd. He was boldly used by God in saving Jeremiah’s life. Jeremiah faced constant set-backs all of his life. But he kept on keeping on warning people against the consequences of sin and the hope that God offers.
Don’t let anyone steel your joy! Chris’s love was proved to mankind on the cross. Live according to your convictions. Keep trusting God. He who began a good work in you will continue to complete it until Christ returns (Philippines 1:6).
Listen to Matthew West’s “All In.”