The eunuch saw disaster at the gates of Jerusalem. A hungry army chipped away at the massive walls of the city. The eunuch, Ebed-Melek, an Ethiopian servant in the palace, also watched disaster unfold within the city.

The last voice of reason, Jeremiah, stood hip-deep in mud at the bottom of a well, dropped there by angry ministers. Ebed-Melek rushed before the king and secured permission to haul Jeremiah out. Released from starving in the muck, Jeremiah returned to advising the king.

Ebed-Melek impresses me. He acted fearlessly and decisively. Not a native, he may have been captured or purchased as a slave. Dashing into the king’s chambers on Jeremiah’s behalf showed bravery.

Along with courage Ebed-Melek expressed faith in the Lord. He heard the words of Jeremiah and took them to heart. He followed the God Jeremiah spoke so much about, and the Lord put him in the right place as the right time.

Zedekiah, the king who refused to yield to the Lord, met a dismal end. After putting his sons and nobles to death in front of him, his captors gouged out his eyes and dragged him to prison.

Ebed-Melek, on the other hand, received this message from the Lord: 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.

Jeremiah 38 & 39 in week forty-one of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Gary Meulemans