It is always good to receive an encouraging personal message, one that someone has taken the time and effort to compose for you alone, to lift your spirits and help you in your daily struggles. The man mentioned here in Jeremiah received just such a personal word of encouragement, and one that he could never have expected to come his way. It was delivered by a prophet of God, and the message was from the Lord Himself.
The Prophet Jeremiah by Michelangelo
What was behind this extraordinary message of comfort and encouragement? It was an event recorded in Jeremiah 38:1-13. The prophet had faithfully conveyed the Lord’s message to the king and people of Judah that the sword of divine judgment was soon to fall on Jerusalem. Because of their idolatry, the Lord was going to give them into the hands of the Babylonians. They should repent and submit to this severe discipline, recognizing it as sent from God. They should leave the city and surrender to the enemy, for Jerusalem was doomed to famine, death, and destruction. The king and princes of Judah did not heed the message; instead, they were angry with the prophet. The king gave the princes the go-ahead to do as they pleased with Jeremiah. They cruelly lowered him with ropes into a dungeon where he sank into the mire, and there would have languished and starved to death.
But Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian heard about what had been done to Jeremiah. He was only a slave and a Gentile, but he went to the king and pleaded for the life of the prophet. His conscience stirred, the king gave this humble servant permission to gather a group of thirty men to go and rescue the prophet. With care and consideration, they pulled Jeremiah out of the mire.
The impression we are given of Ebed-Melech is not that of a man who was naturally bold and audacious, but one who carried out his rescue mission with fear and trembling. The Lord’s message to him reveals that he was also afraid of what was to come in Jerusalem. Unlike Judah’s leaders, Ebed-Melech believed the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah. He knew the city was to be overthrown and shuddered at the thought of what might become of him as one of the king’s household. God knew his fears and sent His prophet to assure Ebed-Melech that his life would be spared.
Though you and I do not expect to receive a message from God with our name on it, we may be sure that these consoling words to Ebed-Melech are directed also to us and to all who, like him, place their trust in the Lord. Are you afraid of what may be coming in your life? Be assured that the Lord knows your fears, just as He knew the fearful thoughts of this Old Testament believer. All who repent of their sins and trust in the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ have the promise of salvation in the day of judgment.
“Meanwhile the word of the Lord had come to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, ‘Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you. But I will deliver you in that day,’ says the Lord, ‘and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,’ says the Lord.”‘” (Jeremiah 39:15-18)
is a retired pastor. He lives in Watertown, South Dakota.