LEARNING DAILY

 

Jeremiah 39:15-18, 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 the city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in the day before you. But I will deliver you in that day,” says the Lord, “and you shall not be given into the hand of 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.

 

I had to do some research to understand why Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian, was singled out in this passage in Jeremiah. These verses reference Jeremiah 38:7-13. Ebed-Melech was a eunuch in the king’s house who went to the king on Jeremiah’s behalf seeking to rescue him from the dungeon he had been cast into. King Zedekiah had turned Jeremiah over to those who wanted to kill Jeremiah because of his message to surrender to the Babylonians. His message was Jerusalem would fall, those remaining in the city would fall, and only those who surrendered to the Babylonians would live. The king was afraid of Jeremiah’s message and placed Jeremiah in a cistern to die. Ebed-Melech went to the king and received permission to get Jeremiah out of the cistern and be placed in the court of the prison.

 

I wonder how quickly the Lord’s direction to go to Ebed-Melech came after he was taken out of the cistern! The Lord was going to destroy Jerusalem, but He was going to keep Ebed-Melech safe because of his trust in the Lord. It is obvious that there was no salvation in Jesus Christ during the Old Testament times; people were saved during this time because of their trust in Me [the Lord]. If we look at trust or faith regarding salvation, it is based on what that trust or faith is in; it must be based on the person of the Lord. In both the Old and New Testament that is a voluntary decision, an act of the will to place one’s life and their eternity in Him, in Him alone.

 

Ebed-Melech was compassionate in dealing with Jeremiah and was courageous in opposing those who wanted Jeremiah dead. I wonder how many Christians today are willing to try to help those being mistreated, even if it means standing against the majority. Because Ebed-Melech showed kindness to Jeremiah, his life was spared when Jerusalem fell; God did not forget him.

 

Let me remind you that a day is coming when God will judge every person on earth. There will be a new heaven and a new earth as written to us in The Revelation. To many that day is a fearful day. But, to those who have asked Jesus to save them and change them, there is no need to fear. Like Ebed-Melech was promised to be saved from the destruction, all true Believers, all of those who have placed their trust in Jesus Christ shall be saved. Because the Lord Jesus Christ has forgiven those who place their faith in Him, there is no need to fear the judgment that is coming. There is no need to fear the destruction that is coming; our walk must be on the narrow way that leads to eternal life in God’s kingdom.

 

I want this to be an encouragement for each of us no matter what we face day to day. We have God’s assurance that we shall live with Him for eternity.