Because You Trusted Me
Scripture
“Say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian `This is what the Lord of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: I will do to this city everything I have threatened. I will send disaster, not prosperity. You will see its destruction,
but I will rescue you from those you fear so much.
Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken!'"
Observation
With the approval of the king, Jeremiah had been put into a cistern by those who didn’t like his message of the imminent capture of Jerusalem by the king of Babylon.
Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an important court official under King Zedekiah, heard about Jeremiah’s plight, realizing he would quickly die of hunger in the cistern. Ebed-melech appealed to the king to move Jeremiah, not even considering for a moment the risk to his own safety from such an unpopular request. The king approved. Jeremiah was lifted out of the cistern and moved to the palace prison.
As the Babylonians are entering Jerusalem, the Lord gives Jeremiah a message for Ebed-Melech. Because he trusted the Lord, by standing up and risking his life to save the Lord’s prophet, the Lord will rescue Ebed-Melech and keep him safe.
Meanwhile, king Zedekiah, who also had the opportunity to save himself by following the Lord’s direction but didn’t, was forced to watch as his sons and all the nobles were slaughtered. Then they gouged out his eyes, and led him away to Babylon.
Application
The mob had just seized Jeremiah and thrown him into the cistern when Ebed-Melech took a stand. He very easily could have found himself in that same cistern!
There are times when doing the right thing could have very costly consequences. It did for Jeremiah. It could have for Ebed-Melech. It certainly could for me as well.
But if we love God, if His Life is in us, the consequence doesn’t matter. His Life in us compels obedience. Obedience is the ultimate expression of trust, as it leaves the outcome to God.
Both Ebed-Melech and Jeremiah were kept safe, while king Zedekiah’s disobedience cost him dearly. Similarly, obedience puts me in a place where God can act on my behalf.
Prayer
Lord, may I move in obedience without hesitation, like both Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech. Sometimes, obedience takes great courage and is fraught with great risk. May your Spirit rise up within me to guide and compel me to follow where You lead.
Created almost 2 years ago
