#2 Ebed-Melek and the Prophet
This month we will explore encounters in the Bible that were life changing.
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Saturday, February 10th - Terry Whitten
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Monday, February 12th - Bill Wilson, Tarah Godbey
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Our series this month is entitled ENCOUNTERS which is defined as "an unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something."
We are looking at four people this month who had a life impacting encounter with someone.
We are looking at four people this month who had a life impacting encounter with someone.
Last week we looked at the life of Jehosheba in the Old Testament. She was a young woman who rescued the sole surviving member of the lineage of the King David and Jesus Christ. The person saved was an infant who later became the King of Judah.
Today we'll look at another Old Testament character who also came to the rescue of someone.
All of these encounters that we're looking at should challenge us to see the opportunities we have to make a difference in the lives of those we encounter each day.
Today we'll look at another Old Testament character who also came to the rescue of someone.
All of these encounters that we're looking at should challenge us to see the opportunities we have to make a difference in the lives of those we encounter each day.
Movie from 2017 - Dunkirk
The movie focused on the efforts of a number of individuals and their actions and sacrifices to make a large rescue happen during World War II.
The movie focused on the efforts of a number of individuals and their actions and sacrifices to make a large rescue happen during World War II.
Today we'll look at a single individual and the effort he made to help one person who was trapped, tossed aside, and the target of a merciless enemy. The story is primarily found in Jeremiah 38 and 39. The background of the story is found in Jeremiah 34-37.
This person is referred to as Ebed-Melek.
Ebed = servant Melek = king...so the meaning of his name is "A servant of the king."
This person is referred to as Ebed-Melek.
Ebed = servant Melek = king...so the meaning of his name is "A servant of the king."
Here is the story of Ebed and how he encountered the Prophet of God named Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 34-36– The Southern Kingdom of Judah was at war with the nation of Babylon. God had instructed Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch to tell the people that because of their wickedness, He was going to allow Babylon to capture and destroy the city; their only hope was to surrender to Babylon and cast themselves upon their mercy.
Jeremiah 37 – The leaders of Jerusalem were arrogant and insisted the prophet be dealt with. They had no use for God and begin to hatch a plot to get rid of them.
Jeremiah 38– King Zedekiah caved in to the nobles and allowed the people to do whatever they wished with Jeremiah.
We pick up the story in Jeremiah 38:4-6
Jeremiah 34-36– The Southern Kingdom of Judah was at war with the nation of Babylon. God had instructed Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch to tell the people that because of their wickedness, He was going to allow Babylon to capture and destroy the city; their only hope was to surrender to Babylon and cast themselves upon their mercy.
Jeremiah 37 – The leaders of Jerusalem were arrogant and insisted the prophet be dealt with. They had no use for God and begin to hatch a plot to get rid of them.
Jeremiah 38– King Zedekiah caved in to the nobles and allowed the people to do whatever they wished with Jeremiah.
We pick up the story in Jeremiah 38:4-6
Jeremiah 38:4-6
BSB
4 Then the officials said to the king, “This man ought to die, for he is discouraging the warriors who remain in this city, as well as all the people, by speaking such words to them; this man is not seeking the well-being of these people, but their ruin.”
5 “Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.”
6 So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.
5 “Here he is,” replied King Zedekiah. “He is in your hands, since the king can do nothing to stop you.”
6 So they took Jeremiah and dropped him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes into the cistern, which had no water but only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.
BSB
We can learn a lot about people by watching their actions.
Ebed-Melek was in the right place at the right time and did the right thing, at least based on human ethics and biblical teaching.
Sometimes we just act "right" in front of people for the wrong reason.
When God sees you, what does He see in your heart and actions?
The story continues in Jeremiah 38:7-13
Ebed-Melek was in the right place at the right time and did the right thing, at least based on human ethics and biblical teaching.
Sometimes we just act "right" in front of people for the wrong reason.
When God sees you, what does He see in your heart and actions?
The story continues in Jeremiah 38:7-13
Jeremiah 38:7-13
BSB
7 Now Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin,
8 Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king,
9 “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.”
10 So the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”
11 Then Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the king’s palace, to a place below the storehouse. From there he took old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern.
12 Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah, “Put these worn-out rags and clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so,
13 and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.
8 Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king,
9 “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.”
10 So the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”
11 Then Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the king’s palace, to a place below the storehouse. From there he took old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern.
12 Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah, “Put these worn-out rags and clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so,
13 and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.
BSB
Ebed was hundreds of miles from home living in a foreign land, and you could call him at best, an indentured servant, and at worst an involuntary slave. He had somehow risen to the status of being recognized as having an official role within the king's court.
Here are some observations we can make about Ebed:
- He Learned about the plot of “the Boys." Note: How often are we really aware of what is going on around us?
- He Intervened on the behalf of Jeremiah, the prophet of God, who was down in the mud, and literally at the end of his rope.
- He Approached the King to point out the injustice that had taken place. Note: He clearly and concisely communicated the problem.
- He Listened to the person who had the authority to resolve the situation. - He Obeyed the King, he Resisted temptation, he Gathered resources, he Demonstrated compassion, and he Directed the rescue.
Here are some observations we can make about Ebed:
- He Learned about the plot of “the Boys." Note: How often are we really aware of what is going on around us?
- He Intervened on the behalf of Jeremiah, the prophet of God, who was down in the mud, and literally at the end of his rope.
- He Approached the King to point out the injustice that had taken place. Note: He clearly and concisely communicated the problem.
- He Listened to the person who had the authority to resolve the situation. - He Obeyed the King, he Resisted temptation, he Gathered resources, he Demonstrated compassion, and he Directed the rescue.
When you are down in the pits, stuck in the mud, the object of ridicule, hatred and gossip, alone, hungry & thirsty, friendless, wallowing in despair, thinking and feeling that life is unfair, and seemingly powerless to change your situation...
Don't you want a person in your life like Ebed-Melek?
A person who is aware of you. A person who will stand up and speak up for you. A person who will come to your aid. A person who honestly cares about your condition. A person who will do whatever it takes for you?
Do you want to be a person like Ebed-Melek?
Don't you want a person in your life like Ebed-Melek?
A person who is aware of you. A person who will stand up and speak up for you. A person who will come to your aid. A person who honestly cares about your condition. A person who will do whatever it takes for you?
Do you want to be a person like Ebed-Melek?
This week, ask God to make us more like Ebed, and less like us...
1. Touch your Head --- begin to think about the mess this world is in and how many people are trapped, ganged up on, lost, down in the dumps, and despairing over their situation.
2. Touch your Eyes --- look around at people. Their eyes, facial expressions, body posture.
3. Touch your Ears --- listen to what people are saying and ask questions to clarify, not to pry or annoy.
4. Touch your Lips --- speak words on their behalf: prayers, affirmation, and guidance.
5. Touch your Hands --- find ways to serve them, help them, clap for them.
6. Touch your Feet --- make the first move, walk with them, and lead them.
7. Touch your Heart --- love them like Jesus, don’t judge them, and make time for them.
1. Touch your Head --- begin to think about the mess this world is in and how many people are trapped, ganged up on, lost, down in the dumps, and despairing over their situation.
2. Touch your Eyes --- look around at people. Their eyes, facial expressions, body posture.
3. Touch your Ears --- listen to what people are saying and ask questions to clarify, not to pry or annoy.
4. Touch your Lips --- speak words on their behalf: prayers, affirmation, and guidance.
5. Touch your Hands --- find ways to serve them, help them, clap for them.
6. Touch your Feet --- make the first move, walk with them, and lead them.
7. Touch your Heart --- love them like Jesus, don’t judge them, and make time for them.
As you read Jeremiah 38 and 39, you see the results of Ebed's actions:
Jeremiah is rescued, he begins to find a life again, he begins to serve God, and he is used to say these words in Jeremiah 39:16-18.
Jeremiah is rescued, he begins to find a life again, he begins to serve God, and he is used to say these words in Jeremiah 39:16-18.
Jeremiah 39:16-18
BSB
16 “Go and tell Ebed-melech the Cushite that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to fulfill My words against this city for harm and not for good, and on that day they will be fulfilled before your eyes.
17 But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you will not be delivered into the hands of the men whom you fear.
18 For I will surely rescue you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in Me, you will escape with your life like a spoil of war, declares the LORD.’”
17 But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you will not be delivered into the hands of the men whom you fear.
18 For I will surely rescue you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in Me, you will escape with your life like a spoil of war, declares the LORD.’”
BSB
