Role Models (Part 1)- Jeremiah 39:15-18

Ebed-Melek, a Role Model of Courage

INTRO: Role models are people looked up to by others as an example. Parents; Teachers (Mrs. Hayes); Athletes; Musicians; PASTORS.

Role models are selected because of their remarkable lives.

What makes Ebed-Melek such a remarkable person? a Role Model?

A ROLE MODEL OF CULTURE - Je 39:15-16 - 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

ANCESTRY - Ebed- Melek was Cushite; descendant of CUSH; the dark skin/burnt skin.

Table of the Nations - Gen 10:6-8- Cush was a son of Ham (Egypt, Put, Canaan); son of Noah.

The Cushites settled present day Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt, and scattered throughout Africa

Ebed-Melek lived among the Israelites and maintained his own culture.

A ROLE MODEL OF CAPACITY - JE 38:7-8

Ebed-Melek-an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, 8 Ebed-Melek went out of the palace and said to him

The name Ebed-melech was clearly not his original name since it is Hebrew. The name = “servant of the king”; the personal name is missing.

Ebed-Melek had the CAPACITY to be an official; not a local, county, or state official, but an Official in the Royal Palace. President’s Cabinet is made up of the heads of the 15 executive departments; people of color who have proven CAPACITY.

This Dark Skinned foreigner supervised staff; was well informed of the inner workings of the palace; fascinated the powerful nobles because he had a great CAPACITY.

A Role Model of COURAGE - (Jer 38:7–13; 39:15–18).

Ebed-Melek provided rescue to the prophet Jeremiah during his unjust incarceration.

His COURAGE had a cost;

1. Physical costs - Ebed-Melek had to physically raise Jeremiah out of the muddy waters of the cistern.

2. Emotional Costs - imagine the wrath he aroused from the prosecutors of Jeremiah.

His actions brought great fear.

But Ebed-Melek, this Black African, had placed His trust in God.

So God rewarded him by sending Jeremiah, the spokesman of God, to let Ebed-Melek know that with all the disaster He was going to send, to those who had rejected Him, Ebed-Melek would be saved BECAUSE YOU HAVE TRUSTED ME.

How does Ebed-Melek relate to ME?

YOU HAVE CULTURE.

It is important for us to know God respects CULTURE. We don’t have to “become” another culture to have His acceptance.

Since God approves your culture, never be ashamed to be the creation He designed.

Be a Role Model.

YOU have CAPACITY! It is God-given.

You have the CAPACITY to FORGIVE -

Eph 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Col 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

You HAVE THE CAPACITY TO OVERCOME -

Jn 16:33 “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Ro 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Gym workout with spotter.

YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY TO LOVE -

JN 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another.

1 JN 4:8 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 PE 4:8 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers (not exposes) over a multitude of sins.”

Be a Role Model.

YOU HAVE COURAGE.

Courage to stand against an unjust judicial system which incarcerates the innocent and lets the rich go free.

Courage to rescue the abused women in our society allowing them to victimized over and over again.

Courage to educate the poor, changing the future from PRISON to PROMISE.

See, “COURAGE is the CAPACITY to perform properly even when the facing the fear of death.”

De 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

2 Tim 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”

Psalm 27:14 “14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”

Psalm 23:1 “1 The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.”

Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.

CLOSE: How did You get this STRENGTH? The Cross, Resurrection; 2nd Coming.

Ebed-Melek, A Role Model of Courage. BE A ROLE MODEL!