SWHW Bible Reading Plan: June 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Malinda Fuller:

Ebed-Melech was an advisor or official in the palace of King Zedekiah. And, he was the hero.

Perhaps not a hero that we've ever heard about or a name we've been told to remember. After all, he was an Ethiopian (a foreigner) and a servant. He wasn't a Jewish man, nor a prophet of God. And though these chapters reference a king, it's the servant who deserves recognition

Enough recognition that when God decided to destroy the city in Chapter 39, He spared this one man: Ebed-Melech.

The name Ebed-Melech is not actually a name, but rather a title meaning "servant." His life seems so insignificant that Jeremiah doesn't even consider his given name when writing the account of his life--which is interesting when you think that this man was responsible for saving Jeremiah's life.

"So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah... And there was no water in the cistern, but only mud and Jeremiah sank in the mud." (This is after Jeremiah had been beaten and imprisoned.)

"When Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern... [he] went from the king's house and said to the king, "My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Jeremiah the prophet by casting him into the cistern, and he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city." Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, "Take thirty men with you from here, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies." So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went to the house of the king, to a wardrobe in the storehouse, and took from there old rags and worn-out clothes, which he let down to Jeremiah in the cistern by ropes. Then Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian, said to Jeremiah, "Put the rags and clothes between your armpits and the ropes." Jeremiah did so. Then they drew Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the cistern.” Jeremiah 38: 6-13

What kind of bravery is that?

A servant in the king's palace willing to risk his life to save the life of a prophet. Why? Did Ebed-Melech stick out his neck for Jeremiah, hoping that God would spare him in the future? Or was Ebel-Melech simply walking out his faith in the God of Israel?

We find the answer in Chapter 39; Ebel-Melech put his trust in the Lord.

God speaks to Jeremiah, after his rescue from the cistern, and says: 

"Go, and say to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will fulfill my words against this city for harm and not for good, and they shall be accomplished before you on that day. But I will deliver you on that day, declares the Lord, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. 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.'"Jeremiah 39:16-18

Who are we willing to be brave for? What are we willing to risk?  Where are we trusting the Lord? 

Father, help me when I am afraid to trust You and when I struggle to believe that You are working things out for my good. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me, for being willing to stand in the gap for me. Please show me where You want me to step out in faith, be brave, and stand in the gap for others.  Amen.