The city of Jerusalem is under siege by the Chaldeans and King Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah is God's prophet and Zedekiah is the king of Israel who has rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah proclaims that if Zedekiah and the people will surrender to the Chaldeans they will be saved but the city will be destroyed.
This is NOT what Zedekiah wants to hear. Jeremiah's words stir the people's hearts to such an extent that some actually do surrender to the Chaldeans. Some of Zedekiah's court officials are rankled by Jeremiah's persistent warnings. They go to Zedekiah and complain that Jeremiah is a traitor who should be put to death. Weak, weary Zedekiah gives in to their outrage and turns Jeremiah over to them. They drop him into a muddy cistern and leave him there to die.
Meanwhile, another court official, Ebed-melech (an Ethiopian) learns of Jeremiah's fate and intervenes by approaching Zedekiah. In essence, through his compassion for Jeremiah, he appeals to the conscience of Zedekiah and implores the king to rescue Jeremiah from his miserable plight. Realizing his hasty decision from earlier, Zedekiah authorizes Ebed-melech to take thirty men to rescue Jeremiah from his muddy tomb.
Ebed-melech gathers some old clothing and rushes to Jeremiah's aid. He instructs Jeremiah to wrap himself in the old clothes to protect him from the ropes as they lift him from the cistern. Then they take him to the king's court where he is protected and provided daily bread from the king's rations.
Fast-forward eighteen months...
The Chaldeans break through the walls and the city falls into their hands. Zedekiah and some of his soldiers make a break for the Judean plains but are captured and returned to King Nebuchadnezzar. Zedekiah is forced to watch as his sons and court officials are killed. Then his own eyes are blinded and he is chained and led off to Babylon as his royal city is utterly destroyed.
Interestingly, King Nebuchadnezzar hears of the prophet Jeremiah and gives instructions that he is not to be harmed. Surprisingly, the king orders his officials to give Jeremiah whatever he wants. Jeremiah is free to return to his home and live among the poor who are left in the land to care for the vineyards and fields.
But God is not finished yet. Remember the kindness of Ebed-melech?
God gives Jeremiah another message - a message for Ebed-melech:
"This is what the Eternal, Commander of heavenly armies and God of Israel, promises you:
'Look! Very soon I will bring disaster not prosperity on Jerusalem and her citizens as I warned through Jeremiah. And you, Ebed-melech, will see all this happen with your own eyes.
But do not worry, for I will rescue you on that day so that you will not be taken prisoner by those you fear. I will protect you, and you will not die in the war. Your life will be your reward because you trusted in Me. I, the Eternal One, declare this to you.'"
Ebed-melech's rescue of Jeremiah was not directed by God, but was a result of Ebed-melech's sense of justice. He did what was right - and God saw it...and God rewarded it!!!!!
God is always watching! He sees our acts of kindness. He notices when we seek to right a wrong. He is aware of our compassionate actions. And He is the ultimate rewarder!
Walk in the knowledge that your good deeds and kind words are not unobserved. They are seen and heard by the One who truly matters! Trust Him!
No comments:
Post a Comment