God is Faithful

Jeremiah 39:10-14  But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left in the land of Judah the poor people, who had nothing, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time. Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,  "Take him and look after him, and do him no harm; but do to him just as he says to you." So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent Nebushasban, Rabsaris, Nergal-Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's chief officers; then they sent someone to take Jeremiah from the court of the prison, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should take him home. So he dwelt among the people.

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 this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you.  But I will deliver you in that day," says the LORD, "and you shall not be given into the hand of the 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.' "

Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna and Mikayla,

After 40 years of prophesying it finally happened.  Chapter 39 of Jeremiah begins with the fall of Jerusalem.  The Lord had told Jeremiah that there would not be fruit from his ministry and there was not.  Jeremiah, however, had been faithful to do all that the Lord had told him to but his warnings had fallen on deaf ears.

The first 10 verses of this chapter speak to judgment on King Zedekiah, his family and the nobles of Judah because of their refusal to obey the word of God. The next several verses are filled with God's mercy, care, faithfulness and grace to Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech, Zedekiah's servant. 

The Lord had promised Jeremiah that he would survive the opposition and persecution he would face in speaking His truth to the people.  I wanted to sing as I read the words of the King of Babylon telling the captain of the guard to care for Jeremiah and to do to him just as he says. Treat him well...let him do what he wants.  They gave me encouragement and hope and reminded me that God is faithful.  His promises are sure.  He preserves those who love Him and put their trust in Him.

 Read God's promise to the prophet in Jeremiah 15:11.

The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.


Jeremiah 38:6-9 tell the story of Ebed-Melech which means servant of the king.  (don't miss the irony in his name) Ebed-melech saw that Jeremiah was in dire need and in danger of death.  At his own peril, he performed a great kindness to Jeremiah by speaking to King Zedekiah on the prophet's behalf.   King Zedekiah gave Ebed-Melech permission to haul Jeremiah out of the dungeon. (pit)  God who sees all, rewarded his kindness to Jeremiah by protecting him from the Babylonians.  I love Jon Courson's words of application here:

"You might not be able to perform miracles.  You might not have musical talent.  You might not be an evangelist.  You might feel like an Ethiopian, without anything to offer.  But you can find a person in the pit--in your community, your school, your office.  You can intercede on his behalf.  then you can do something to help him practically.  You can pull him out of the pit."

Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.


Love
Mom