Rescuing Those In Trouble

-November 7, 2022-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, ‘Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.’ And Jeremiah did so. So they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him up out of the dungeon. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.”

(Jeremiah 38:12-13).

Jeremiah the prophet was in a desperate situation. The Jewish leaders had taken him out of the court of the prison, where conditions were bad, and thrown him into the dungeon where they were deplorable. They threw him in the dungeon where there was mire that he sank into. Left there he would have died for lack of food. Ebed-Melech was an Ethiopian eunuch who served the king of Judah. He heard of Jeremiah’s plight and went to the king to gain his intervention and help on Jeremiah’s behalf. There were wicked men who had gotten the permission of the king to do whatever to him what they saw best because he prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the upcoming Babylonian captivity.

There is an old expression that says, “Don’t shoot the messenger,” They blamed Jeremiah for their plight. He was simply proclaiming God’s Word to them. God brought judgment down on them because of their sin of idolatry and disobedience. The king gave Ebed-Melech orders to take thirty men and pull Jeremiah out. He joyfully carried out the king’s orders. He took ropes, old clothes, and rags lowering them to Jeremiah. They got him out carefully and safely. Not only was Jeremiah happy and relieved, but God was pleased by Ebed-Melech, a foreigner.

Later on in Jeremiah 39:15-18, Jeremiah sent word to Ebed-Melech that God would deliver him and spare his life for what he had done putting his trust in God. God wants us to help others who are in trouble and need. We like Ebed-Melech must employ any and all means to lift up others and encourage them. God blesses us when we help others in need. It takes effort, time, and money to help those who are in hard times. The Lord always ensures our blessing and when we are need God will send us help.

There is a wonderful hymn written by Mary Maxwell that speaks of this. The chorus says, “Channels only, blessed Master, but with all Thy wondrous pow’r, flowing through us, Thou canst use us, every day and every hour.” We are His vessels to serve Him. When we are emptied of self and filled with His Spirit, we can do so much good. Let us be willing and available for God to use.

Have a blessed day helping others in need. Stay safe and healthy.

In the service of the Greatest Master,

Dean