Jeremiah 38:1-13

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

September 27, 2009

Jeremiah 38:1-13 (New International Version) Jeremiah Thrown Into a Cistern 1 Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal [ a ] son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah was telling all the people when he said, 2 "This is what the LORD says: 'Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the Babylonians [ b ] will live. He will escape with his life; he will live.' 3 And this is what the LORD says: 'This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.' " 4 Then the officials said to the king, "This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin." 5 "He is in your hands," King Zedekiah answered. "The king can do nothing to oppose you." 6 So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king's son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud. 7 But Ebed-Melech, a Cushite, [ c ] an official [ d ] in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, 8 Ebed-Melech went out of the palace and said to him, 9 "My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city." 10 Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Cushite, "Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies." 11 So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. 12 Ebed-Melech the Cushite said to Jeremiah, "Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes." Jeremiah did so, 13 and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

Some days in life are easy. They progress freely with few bumps in the road. You can go with the flow, fit in, and not make waves or face little risk. Other times you are put on the spot and required to take a stand. Your action may be unpopular but you really don’t have a choice. You know what you must do. That is especially true when the issue involves our faith. As we dig into the text before us we are encouraged

STAND UP FOR JESUS

I. For His truth v1-6

II. For what is right v7-13

Stand up for Jesus and for His truth like Jeremiah. He served as the Lord’s prophet during challenging times for ministry. It was the early 6th century B.C. The northern tribes of Israel had been gone for over a century, taken into captivity by Assyria. Since that time Babylon had come into power. They had already deported some of the leading people from Judah to Babylon as captives, including the previous king. Then King Nebuchadnezzar had placed Zedekiah on Israel’s throne. He was a mere puppet-king.

Jeremiah had been warning the nation that defeat was coming, due to their disobedience to the Lord and worship of idols. He advocated surrender to spare their lives. For a brief time there had been a reprieve as Nebuchanezzar had gone to fight against Egypt. Jeremiah attempted to leave Jerusalem and return to his hometown to retrieve whatever remained of his property. He was arrested, charged with desertion, and imprisoned. He remained in contact with people and proclaimed God’s message. He did not hide the truth, for His message was from the Lord. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the Babylonians will live.’ And this is what the Lord says, ‘This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.’” That future would be awful and their doom was certain.

In this chapter matters got worse for Jeremiah. A quartet of influential men: some, confidants of the king; another, part of a priestly family, went to the king with the request, “This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in the city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin.” They didn’t like what he was saying. It didn’t fit their agenda. There was some truth to their charge. A message like that had to be discouraging to those defending the city. However, Jeremiah was not seeking their ruin. He wanted to spare them from the further suffering and horrible death that would come if they tried to stick it out to the bitter end.

The king went along with the prophet’s opponents. “He is in your hands,” King Zedekiah answered. “The king can do nothing to oppose you.” His words were an accurate statement of his weakness. He had little power and no convictions or courage. The men did not personally kill Jeremiah. Did they have a little bit of a conscience? They did not want his blood on their hands. “They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud.” The cistern was a pit for gathering water when it rained. This cistern had been emptied, but there was mud still at the bottom. It must have been deep since they lowered him into it with ropes. There Jeremiah sunk in, stuck in the mud. How far, we don’t know, but there he was, helpless and hopeless.

How would you feel under those conditions? “What’s the use? Look where faithfulness got me.” I might have had anger: “I sure hope those guys suffer most when the attack comes.” We would understand it if he was upset and despondent.

In today’s Gospel Jesus invited us to take up our cross and follow Him. He spoke of losing your life “for me and the gospel.” He wants us to stand up for Him despite the consequences. We want to be faithful to Him, for we recognize what’s at stake: His truth, the saving truth. We also face obstacles making it not easy to stand up for our Lord and His truth. We are surrounded in life by many who don’t care about or are opposed to God. We’re concerned about the reaction we will receive. We may not face the prospect of starvation in a muddy hole, but we might encounter heckling or name-calling. We may be avoided for social activities by those who know we will object to what they plan to do. Those who reject the Bible as out-of-date, mistaken opinions of ancient men may view us as less than the brightest lights when we defend its teachings. Some believers have been passed by for a promotion because they refuse to bend ethical rules in business. Moral matters can bring opposition, such as when we stand up for what constitutes marriage. We may meet resistance on an individual basis when confronting the sin of a fellow member or relative. In spite of the reaction, stand up for the truth. Ultimately you are protecting the gospel of salvation in Jesus, who paid for all your sins on the cross and supplied the required holiness with His perfect life. Through Him you are welcome in heaven eternally. That’s the good news that we stand up for and why we stand up for Jesus. We love the Savior and do not want to compromise a word He says.

II.

We also take action for what is right, like the man Ebed-Melech whom we meet in the text. He knew that human decency requires better treatment of a person than what Jeremiah received. But he was doing more than cheering for the underdog. He recognized that Jeremiah was God’s appointed spokesman. He was a believer. At the end of the next chapter it is noted of Ebed-Melech, “You trust in me, declares the Lord.” He objected to the prophet’s penalty and went directly to the king. “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet.” He pointed out what would surely happen: he would soon starve to death.

There was risk involved for this man. The king had granted permission for the action against Jeremiah. To retract the order would be embarrassing; perhaps he would view it as a challenge to his authority. Intervening might arouse opposition from those who had instigated the action. Was there room for two in the cistern? Was there another cistern with his name on it? Ebed-Melech didn’t let such fears deter him.

Zedekiah was no stronger in resisting this request. He okayed the action and sent thirty men to help with the task, in case there was any opposition. Ebed-Melech went at once, gathered a bunch of rags to ease the pressure from the ropes and pulled Jeremiah out of his slimy cell. The prophet remained in custody, but he would be provided for. And his benefactor would be nearby to keep a watchful eye on the situation.

Such help was not expected. Ebed-Melech, although having a Hebrew name, was identified as a Cushite. He was from Africa, maybe from Ethiopia. He was a foreigner, not part of God’s Old Testament chosen nation. Yet he shared the true faith and was strong enough in it to take a stand and do right.

This incident shows us that God’s family includes people from all nations and races. His focus was limited in the Old Testament, but His love was not restricted. And it definitely is not now. Jesus redeemed the whole world; He is the Savior of all, including you and me.

The account before us was not the only time that somebody outside the chosen people showed them up. Remember the ten lepers that Jesus healed. The only grateful recipient of that miraculous gift was a Samaritan, one from that group which was despised and called dogs by the Jews. Or recall the Good Samaritan who helped the bloodied and battered robbery victim when the priest and the Levite didn’t want to get involved or dirty their hands. There were others of whom Jesus said He had not found such faith in Israel. Those people stand as a warning to us when we start thinking we are better than others. The zeal and faithfulness of others who lack the advantages we enjoy often puts us to shame.

They also awaken in us the desire to do right. We respond to God’s great goodness that we have received but do not deserve. Filled with Christ’s love for us, we will show love and kindness to others, including those who proclaim God’s Word to us. We will help the poor and needy. Comfort the hurting and the lonely. Seek justice and defend those are oppressed. Above all, share the good news of Jesus, which is the greatest good you can do for anybody. The loving Savior frees a person from worse than mud and slime. He rescues us from the power and curse of sin. He supplies a multitude of blessings now and eternal joy in heaven.

The strength to stand up for Jesus comes from the gospel. The power that saved us also moves us to confess our Savior before the world, even when it is unpopular. It motivates us to action. Speak God’s truth and put it into practice by doing what is right. Live each day in response to Christ’s love for His glory and the benefit of others.