Friday, November 1, 2024
“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” (Jeremiah 39:18 KJV).
What is this, “thy life shall be for a prey unto thee?”
“Ebedmelech” (Hebrew for “servant of a king”) was the name of a Gentile who was both a believer and a friend of the Prophet Jeremiah. Back in Jeremiah chapter 38, Ebedmelech heard how Jeremiah was on the verge of death in the dungeon (he had been shut up there for preaching God’s “offensive” words about impending judgment against Judah’s habitual sins). Jeremiah was confined to a muddy, empty inground cistern (see Jeremiah 38:6). Ebedmelech, one of the eunuchs or officials of spineless King Zedekiah, reports to the king how he fears Jeremiah will starve to death. Suffice it to say, Ebedmelech heads a rescue party to save Jeremiah from the pit! (If needed, read all 28 verses of chapter 38.)
Coming to chapter 39, today’s Scripture and its context, we see a flashback to something God had revealed to Jeremiah: “[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.”
Ebedmelech treated God’s messenger (Jeremiah) with kindness. Though the LORD will punish Jerusalem to the point of political fall and physical leveling via the invading Babylonian troops, Ebedmelech’s life shall be for a prey unto him….
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