The Other Ethiopian Eunuch

The Other Ethiopian Eunuch

(Jeremiah 37-38)

Super Hero

Scripture: Jeremiah 38:7-13, Jeremiah 39:15-18

Introduction:

The Old Testament prophets sometimes faced severe persecution. Jeremiah certainly had his share of troubles and in this instance, he had preached God’s message but was thrown into a cistern! Most likely he was going to be left there to die, but an unsung hero helped rescue Jeremiah. Only mentioned in Jeremiah’s book, the deeds of Ebed-Melech should be an inspiration for generations to come.

1. Most Bible students could relate the story surrounding the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.

a. He serves as an example for us today.

2. However, unknown to some and forgotten by others, is another Ethiopian Eunuch, named Ebed-Melech.

a. He too, should serve as an example for us today.

I. Historical Background of The Text

A. Babylon was besieging the city of Jerusalem (37:5).

B. Babylon received news that Egypt was coming from the South to help Jerusalem, so they temporarily lifted their siege (37:5).

C. During this time, Jeremiah prophesied that Babylon would return and destroy Jerusalem (37:7-10).

D. Jeremiah was arrested, charged with being a traitor (37:11-16).

E. King Zedekiah sends for Jeremiah and Jeremiah tells him the bad news. After counsel, the King decides to imprison Jeremiah once again (37:17-38:6).

F. This is when Ebed-Melech came to Jeremiah’s defense (38:8-13).

II. Practical Lessons from This Ethiopian Eunuch

A. He knew the difference between right and wrong.

“Ebed-Melech” is close to a pair of Hebrew words for ‘servant of the king” so this may be his title rather than his actual name. Regardless, this man, an Ethiopian (and how or why was he now in Jerusalem?) noticed that Jeremiah was in a lot of trouble.

He took courage and went to Zedekiah the king, telling him Jeremiah was going to die in that “dungeon (“cistern” in several other translations)” because there was no bread left in the city. The Babylonians had encamped around Jerusalem already so the hope of reinforcements, deliverance, or even resupply probably grew fainter every day.

A. He knew the difference between right and wrong.

1. (Isaiah 5:20). Isaiah 5:20

New International Version

20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil,

who put darkness for light and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter?

a. What God calls an abomination; we call gay (Romans 1:26-27). Romans 1:26-27

New International Version

26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.

b. Taking innocent life is called choice (Proverbs 6:17).

Proverbs 6:17

New International Version 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,

c. Rejection of God is called scientific fact (Romans 1:20-22).

Romans 1:20-22 New International Version

20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

d. False doctrine is called Christian liberty (2 John 9-11).

2 John 9-11 New International Version

9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. 11 Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work.

B. He had concern for another during his own personal trouble.

2 Ebed-Melech’s compassion for Jeremiah

Text, Jeremiah 38:11-13, KJV: 11 So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah. 12 And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so. 13 So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

How long Jeremiah had been left in the “dungeon” is never stated. A word about a “dungeon”; as mentioned, other translations call this a cistern, or pit for storing rain water. There seemed to be plenty of mud or mire (one can only imagine the smell) and Jeremiah sank into that stuff. He had to be miserable, physically, but we do not read that he ever lost his faith in God.

Ebed-Melech stopped by the king’s house and selected some “old cast clouts” and “old rotten rags”. The word “clout” here most likely refers to old clothing or something patched; “rotten” seems to be only worn-out. In a word, these were old rags and probably not fit for much of anything good. One is reminded about the old, worn-out clothing the men of the Canaanites wore when they tricked Joshua and the nation of Israel into making peace with them (Joshua 9).

But these were apparently just the thing for Jeremiah. Ebed-Melech and the others let those “rags” down by “cords” or, likely, ropes. He then told Jeremiah to put these rags under his armpits—comfort, for one reason; to avoid rope-burn, another possibility/ Another thought is that Jeremiah might have been literally stuck in the mud and they didn’t want to risk pulling him apart when they were trying to save his life.

Of note, Alistair Begg in a “Truth for Life” radio message of several years ago spoke on this passage, commenting about the “rags and the ropes”.

Ebed-Melech’s strategy worked: they were able to pull Jeremiah out of the “dungeon” and deliver him to safety (such as it was). If any words were exchanged by any of the people, we have no record in the text. Ebed-Melech apparently went back to his lodging and his duties, while Jeremiah “remained in the court of the prison”.

Even so, Jeremiah remembered Ebed-Melech and had a later message for him.

1. (Matthew 22:34-40). Matthew 22:34-40

New International Version

The Greatest Commandment

34 Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

2. (Romans 12:10).

Romans 12:10 New International Version 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

3. (Philippians 2:4).

Philippians 2:4 New International Version

4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

C. His concern led him to action.

Note that Ebed-Melech didn’t mention anything about Jeremiah’s prophecies, only that Jeremiah faced certain death from starvation unless (implied) the king did something about this situation.

For whatever reason (conscience, maybe, or respect, or maybe the king still had a spark of decency left in him), the king reversed his previous judgment (or lack of same, see verses 5 and 6) and gave Ebed-Melech official permission to take 30 additional men and rescue Jeremiah.

Now Ebed-Melech made an additional stop before he arrived at the “dungeon”.

1. (James 2:14-17). Faith and Deeds

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

2. (Luke 10:29-37),

Luke 10:29-37 New International Version

29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii[a] and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

3. (James 1:22; 4:17). James 1:22

New International Version

22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

3 Jeremiah’s message for Ebed-Melech

Text, Jeremiah 39:15-18, KJV: 15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, 16 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. 17 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 afraid. 18 For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

When this event took place, the city had just fallen to the Babylonians. The king and many others had already been taken captive but others were apparently still able to live (?) in Jerusalem. Ebed-Melech was one of these people, allowed to stay and neither killed nor taken captive to Babylon. The message came directly from God through Jeremiah, promising Ebed-Melech that he wouldn’t be killed by the sword (executed) nor would he be betrayed to others who may have wanted to hurt or kill him.

It’s interesting that this message and promise is not related directly to Ebed-Melech’s care and compassion towards Jeremiah. God says He gave this promise “because (Ebed-Melech had) put his trust in (the LORD)”! At the very least, this should remind us to take advantage of every opportunity to do good to others. Also, this might well be a prelude to the words of Jesus Himself when He says to the “sheep” in Matthew 25 that when they did good things to His brethren, the people of Israel, they did it to Him!

You and I may never have to literally lift someone up from a pit, but we can still do good for as many as we can. Ebed-Melech’s one deed is mentioned in Scripture as an act of faith and love—and God rewarded him for so doing. When the opportunity comes, I hope we’ll be ready!

Conclusion:

1. Just as in the days of Jeremiah, God needs people of courage and compassion today.

2. Would you have stood up for Jeremiah if you were one of his contemporaries?

3. Will you stand up for Jesus today?

What we are in Christ !

You are a new creation – 2 Cor 5:7

You are complete in Him – Eph 2:5

You are God’s masterpiece – Eph 2:10

You are a child of God – 1 John 3:1, John 1:12

You are righteous – 2 Cor 5:21, Romans 5:19

You are dearly loved by God – Col 3:12

You are forgiven of all your sins – Eph 1:7, Col 2:13

You are accepted in Him – Eph 1:6

You are redeemed from the curse of the law – Gal 3:14

You are blessed – Gal 3:9

You are chosen – 1 Thess 1:4

You are called – 2 Tim 1:9

You are more than a conquerer – Rom 8:37

You are the temple of the Holy Spirit – 1 Cor 6:19

You are sanctified – 1 Cor 1:2

You are being changed into His image – 2 Cor 3:18

You are set free – John 8:31

You are healed by His wounds – 1 Peter 2:24

You are free from condemnation – Rom 8:1

You are a citizen of heaven – Phil 3:20

You are free from the law of sin and death – Romans 8:2

You are an ambassador for Christ – 2 Cor 5:20

You are reconciled to God – 2 Cor 5:18, Romans 5:10

You are joint-heirs with Christ – Rom 8:17

You are under grace – Rom 6:15

You are dead to sin – Rom 6:2

You are alive with Christ – Eph 2:5

You are a slave to righteousness – Romans 6:18

You are seated with Christ – Eph 2:6

You are the light of the world – Matt 5:14

You are the salt of the earth – Matt 5:13

You are one with Christ – John 17:21, 1 John 4:17

You are strong in the Lord – Eph 6:10

You are strengthened with all power – Col 1:11

You can do all things – Phil 4:13

You are victorious – Rev 12:11

You are enriched in everyway – 1 Cor 1:5

You are never alone – Heb 13:5

You are owned by God – 1 Cor 6:20

You are zealous for good works – Titus 2:14

You are priests and kings (1 Peter 2:9, Revelation 1:6)

¡Qué somos en Cristo!

Eres una nueva creación – 2 Corintios 5:7

Estás completo en Él – Efesios 2:5

Tú eres la obra maestra de Dios – Efesios 2:10

Eres un hijo de Dios – 1 Juan 3:1, Juan 1:12

Eres justo – 2 Corintios 5:21, Romanos 5:19

Eres amado profundamente por Dios – Col 3:12

Eres perdonado de todos tus pecados – Efesios 1:7, Col 2:13

Eres aceptado en Él – Efesios 1:6

Eres redimido de la maldición de la ley – Gal 3:14

Eres bendecido – Gal 3:9

Tú eres elegido – 1 Tesalonicenses 1:4

Eres llamado – 2 Tim 1:9

Eres más que un conquistador – Romanos 8:37

Tú eres el templo del Espíritu Santo – 1 Corintios 6:19

Eres santificado – 1 Corintios 1:2

Estás siendo transformado a Su imagen – 2 Corintios 3:18

Eres liberado – Juan 8:31

Eres sanado por Sus heridas – 1 Pedro 2:24

Estás libre de condenación – Romanos 8:1

Eres un ciudadano del cielo – Fil 3:20

Estás libre de la ley del pecado y de la muerte – Romanos 8:2

Eres un embajador de Cristo – 2 Corintios 5:20

Estás reconciliado con Dios – 2 Corintios 5:18, Romanos 5:10

Ustedes son coherederos con Cristo – Romanos 8:17

Estás bajo gracia – Romanos 6:15

Estás muerto al pecado – Romanos 6:2

Estás vivo con Cristo – Efesios 2:5

Eres esclavo de la justicia – Romanos 6:18

Estás sentado con Cristo – Efesios 2:6

Tú eres la luz del mundo – Mateo 5:14

Tú eres la sal de la tierra – Mateo 5:13

Eres uno con Cristo – Juan 17:21, 1 Juan 4:17

Eres fuerte en el Señor – Efesios 6:10

Estás fortalecido con todo poder – Col 1:11

Puedes hacer todas las cosas – Fil 4:13

Eres victorioso – Apocalipsis 12:11

Te enriqueces en todos los sentidos – 1 Corintios 1:5

Nunca estás solo – Heb 13:5

Eres propiedad de Dios – 1 Corintios 6:20

Eres celoso de las buenas obras – Tito 2:14

Ustedes son sacerdotes y reyes (1 Pedro 2:9, Apocalipsis 1:6)