ESOCS Devotional 29 March 2024 – Ebedmelech is Rewarded
MEMORY VERSE: “Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good, and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art.” Jeremiah 39:16-17TEXT: JEREMIAH 39:1-18
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and besieged it.
2 And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, they broke into the city.
3 [[b]When Jerusalem was taken] all the princes of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim [the Rabsaris] a chief of the eunuchs, and Nergal-sharezer [II, the Rabmag] a chief of the magicians, with all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.
4 And when Zedekiah king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, they fled and went forth out of the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and [the king] went out toward the Arabah (the Jordan Valley).
5 But the Chaldean army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the [Syrian] land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence upon him.
6 Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah at Riblah before his eyes; also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.
7 Moreover, he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with shackles to take him to Babylon.
8 And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
9 Then Nebuzaradan the [chief executioner and] captain of the guard carried away captive to Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, along with those who deserted to him, and the remainder of the [so-called better class of] people who were left.
10 But Nebuzaradan the [Babylonian] captain of the guard left in the land of Judah some of the poor of the people who had nothing, giving them vineyards and fields at the same time.
11 Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave command concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
12 Take him and look after him well; do him no harm but deal with him as he may ask of you.
13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushasban [the Rabsaris] a chief of the eunuchs, Nergal-sharezer [II, the Rabmag] a chief of the magicians, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon
14 Sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard and entrusted him to Gedaliah [a prominent man whose father had once saved the prophet’s life] son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should take him home [with him to Mizpah]. So Jeremiah was released and dwelt among the people.
15 Now the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah while he was [still] shut up in the court of the guard, saying,
16 Go and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring to pass My words against this city for evil and not for good; and they will be accomplished before you on that day.
17 But I will deliver you [Ebed-melech] on that day, says the Lord, and you will not be given into the hands of the men of whom you are afraid.
18 For I will surely deliver you; and you will not fall by the sword, but your life will be [as your only booty and] as a reward of battle to you, because you have put your trust in Me, says the Lord.
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There has always been a reward for those who helped prophets and messengers of God in the course of duty. When the Israelite army destroyed Jericho and the inhabitants, “Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, her father’s household, and all that she hath and she dwelleth in Israel unto this day, because she hid the messengers which Joshua sent to spy Jericho” (Joshua 6:25). The Shunamite woman took good care of Elisha and built a bed chamber for him at her gate. She was blessed with a son, even though her husband was old (2 kings 4:9-10; 16-17). On this occasion, it was the intervention and care upon Jeremiah the prophet by the Ethiopian eunuch Ebedmelech, while the former was in prison.
Jeremiah had prophesied that the king of Babylon will march upon Jerusalem and that it shall be worse for those in the city than for those already in captivity. The king and the noble princes of Judah refused to believe him, but persecuted him very wickedly. The pitiable condition of King Zedekiah for disobedience to God’s word need to be noted – the slaying of his Sons in his own eyes, the putting out of his eyes after that and binding him in chains.
On the other hand, God made King Nebuchadnezzar charge the captain of his guard to ensure that nothing evil happened to the prophet, but that he should be made as comfortable as he wanted to be (Jer. 39:11-12).
It is interesting to note that God’s reward for Ebedmelech was pronounced by the prophet, while he was still in prison, before the day that Babylon arrived (Jer. 39:15-18). Jesus taught us that “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward” (Matt. 10:41).
Paul writing to the Ephesians counsels us to do all good services, as unto the Lord; not as unto men, and to remember that whatsoever good thing we do, the same we shall receive (Eph. 6:7-8). Whenever you have opportunity to do good, especially to the messengers of God, do it as unto the Lord; for He will abundantly reward you. Dare to be the Ebedmelech of your generation and your rewards from God is sure.
- Do you see a tested vessel of God persecuted in your church? Rise up for him and the Lord shall defend you in the day of adversity.
- Almighty God, I beseech thee make me be of help to endangered members of your household, in Jesus name.
Further Reading: Joshua 2:1-16; 6:22-25.
ESOCS Devotional 29 March 2024
