1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. 2 And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city wall was broken through. 3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and took seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officials of the king of Babylon. 4 When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled; they left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah.
5 But the Babylonian army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They captured him and took him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence on him. 6 There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and also killed all the nobles of Judah. 7 Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.
8 The Babylonians set fire to the royal palace and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. 9 Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard carried into exile to Babylon the people who remained in the city, along with those who had gone over to him, and the rest of the people. 10 But Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.
11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard: 12 “Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever he asks.” 13 So Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, Nebushazban a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officers of the king of Babylon 14 sent and had Jeremiah taken out of the courtyard of the guard. They turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him back to his home. So he remained among his own people.
15 While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him: 16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfil my words against this city - words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfiled before your eyes. 17 But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.’”
TODAY IN THE WORD
Our heavenly Father looks for faithfulness wherever it might be found. Consider, for example, Rahab. Thinking of her only as a prostitute might keep us from expecting that she could have acted so bravely. Joshua 2 recounts her willingness to risk her own life to protect the two Israelite spies. Later on, because of her faithful actions, she and her family were spared when Joshua destroyed Jericho (Jos 6:23).
We find another example of godly faithfulness in an unexpected place in the life of Ebed-Melech, a foreigner serving Judah’s royal family. Recall that he helped save Jeremiah’s life, even though he risked his own. In today’s reading, we see earlier prophecies fulfilled, including Jerusalem’s fall. But woven throughout this account is also the story of God’s faithfulness to those who are faithful to Him.
This passage begins by describing Jerusalem’s fall in 587 BC, after an 18-month siege. During this time, the city’s inhabitants faced starvation. Lamentations records the horrors of adults stealing food from babies and of cannibalism. Eventually, the Babylonians broke the city’s protective wall and captured the city.
They say that a person’s true character is seen in difficult circumstances, and this is certainly true with Zedekiah. He had refused to repent and surrender to Babylon. Had he done so, thousands of people would have been saved. In addition to stubbornness we also find cowardice. Realising there was no hope, Zedekiah chose to flee rather than face the results of his choices. The gruesome fate that befell him (vv 6-7) was no doubt worsened because of his persistent rebelliousness.
APPLY THE WORD
Just as vengeance belongs to the Lord (Deut 32:35), so also vindication only comes from Him. Because he risked his life for Jeremiah, Ebed-Melech was rescued by the hand of God (Jer 39:17). Because of his obedience to the Lord and His word, Jeremiah was also vindicated. We also see that because of Jesus’ obedience to the Father, He has been exalted and given the name above all others (Phil 2:9–11). This is powerful encouragement for us to remain faithful, even in the midst of opposition. Our final vindication is assured.
Just as vengeance belongs to the Lord (Deut 32:35), so also vindication only comes from Him. Because he risked his life for Jeremiah, Ebed-Melech was rescued by the hand of God (Jer 39:17). Because of his obedience to the Lord and His word, Jeremiah was also vindicated. We also see that because of Jesus’ obedience to the Father, He has been exalted and given the name above all others (Phil 2:9–11). This is powerful encouragement for us to remain faithful, even in the midst of opposition. Our final vindication is assured.
