Jeremiah 39:15-18

IV. APPENDIX: A MESSAGE FOR EBED-MELECH Jeremiah 39:15-18

(15) Now the word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was still confined in the court of the guard, saying, Go and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am about to bring My words concerning this city to pass for evil and not for good. And they shall be fulfilled before your eyes on that day. (17) But I will deliver you in that day (oracle of the LORD) and you shall not be given into the hands of the men of whom you are terrified. (18) For I will certainly cause you to escape and you shall not fall by the sword; but you shall have your life as spoils because you trusted in Me (oracle of the LORD).

COMMENTS

Attached to the end of this present section of the book is a brief appendix containing a word of comfort for the slave Ebed-melech. Chronologically these four verses would stand after Jeremiah 38:13. They are postponed till now in order that there might be no break in the narrative of Jeremiah's imprisonment and the capture of the city. In their present position these verses provide a bright conclusion to the dark story of the fall and destruction of Jerusalem. The passage suggests that God takes care of His own and rewards men of faith who have the courage to act decisively.

While still in the court of the guard (Jeremiah 39:15) Jeremiah was given a message for Ebed-melech. Doubtlessly in the course of this servant's daily work he would have had occasion to be in or near the court of the guard. Perhaps it was his task to feed the prisoners there. Jeremiah was instructed to go to this eunuch with a message of hope. Ebed-melech would see the city of Jerusalem captured and destroyed just as the Lord had spoken through His prophet (Jeremiah 39:16). Perhaps this is an oblique way of saying that Ebed-melech need not fear reprisals at the hands of the wicked princes who hated him for rescuing Jeremiah. Ebed-melech must have been harassed with fear as to his personal future when Jerusalem was captured. As a royal servant he knew that he would most likely be killed by the Chaldeans. Jeremiah assures him that this will not be the case. you shall not be delivered into the hands of the men of whom you are afraid (Jeremiah 39:17). Though his life would be endangered in that day, God would deliver him. His life would be given to him for a prey i.e., a prize of war. God will be gracious to this humble servant because he had put his trust in the Lord. What a contrast between this royal servant and the king he served. The servant trusted God and risked his life to take a stand for right, His master tried to save his life by refusing to heed the word of God. The Ethiopian found life among death; the king died a thousand deaths as he languished in blindness in a Chaldean dungeon.