11/2/25 Weekly Bible Lesson: Faithfulness

Jeremiah 38:6-13 

Background of Text — Jeremiah, often referred to as the weeping prophet, came on the scene at a most difficult time. From the beginning of his ministry, God told him it would not be easy. By Jeremiah 20, the threat of a Babylonian invasion against Judah had already grown very strong. Jeremiah felt caught in the middle between God, who called him to preach a problematic word, and a people who refused to believe him. By Jeremiah 37-38, with the people of Jerusalem refusing to believe him, the threat of Babylon growing stronger, and Jeremiah’s message to his nation being a call to surrender to the enemy, his people deem him a traitor.  

Verse 6 — Leading up to this, Jeremiah had been arrested and imprisoned. He had been faithfully preaching the Word of the Lord. The message was a warning to Israel that the Chaldeans were coming. Jeremiah warned the soldiers defending the wall that they should surrender, because if they did not, they would surely die. God had already determined what would happen, and Jeremiah proclaimed this warning in hopes of protecting his brothers. He was faithful to preaching the Word of the Lord. He was seeking to save the soldiers who were being led by spiritually blind men. In the prince's rage and with the view that Jeremiah was hurting the war effort, he was sentenced to death. Jeremiah was put into a cistern. This was not just imprisonment. He was put in this pit with the intention of leaving him and letting him die. Jeremiah was stuck in the mud, with no way out, bound for death. In this, Jeremiah did not protest or call for vengeance. He had learned through his long and bitter ministry to trust Yahweh for deliverance.  

Verses 7-8 — Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian eunuch and servant of the king, heard of what happened to Jeremiah. Ebed-melech was surely not the only one to hear of Jeremiah’s predicament, but he is the only one who had courageous compassion for Jeremiah. He rushed to the Benjamin gate to speak with the king. Ebed-melech came before the king and courageously spoke on Jeremiah’s behalf. This was not a simple act. In going to the Benjamin gate to plead for Jeremiah’s life, Ebed-melech was putting his own life on the line.  

Verses 9-13 — He begins by humbly addressing the king. “My lord the king.” He confidently made his case. Ebed-melech advocated for Jeremiah, explaining that these men had done evil against him. Ebed-melech sought to save him from death. The provisions in the city were already low, and Ebed-melech argued it was very unlikely any spare food would make it to Jeremiah in the pit. The princes wanted Jeremiah’s death, and everyone else showed no care, but Ebedmelech knew this was not right. He did not just sit idly by.  

King Zedekiah either came to his senses or was shocked to hear of the cruelty of the prince's actions toward Jeremiah, because of Ebed-melech’s plea. Not only did the king permit Ebed-melech to save Jeremiah, but gave him thirty men to help get Jeremiah out, as well as offer protection from the princes.  

Immediately upon getting permission, he gathered worn-out clothes and rags and let them down to Jeremiah. He was preparing wisely to save Jeremiah. Ebed-melech tells Jeremiah to put them under his arms so the rope does not hurt him. This was a considerate and gentle act. With Jeremiah’s age, body weight, and the suction of the mud, the rope would’ve cut into his flesh. Jeremiah did what he was told, and then they pulled Jeremiah up. They saved him from starvation, from the harsh elements, and from death. He came up to light, fresh air, and solid ground. Jeremiah was saved because he had an advocate. In Jeremiah’s faithfulness, he was allowed to continue to serve faithfully. He continued to serve faithfully as he remained imprisoned among the court of the guard. This is a reminder that every breath is an opportunity to continue to serve faithfully. (Philippians 1:21-22). 

There are three important considerations to be made from this passage in Jeremiah. First, Jeremiah was faithful in the face of hardship. We can trust God no matter the circumstances or consequences, because He is faithful. Second, we have an advocate in our Lord Jesus Christ. Jeremiah was stuck in the mud, and only Ebed-melech, his advocate, was willing to get him out. As Christians, we were stuck in sin and only our advocate was willing and able to get us out (1 John 2:1). Lastly, we should advocate for others who cannot advocate for themselves. We are all made in the image of God, we are called to love one another, we are called to protect the innocent, and we are called to help those in need. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). That’s what Ebed-melech was willing to do when he went to advocate for Jeremiah, and that is what Christ did for us. He is our advocate, and so we should advocate for those who cannot do so for themselves.  

Discussion Question: What are some groups of people we should step up and advocate for because they cannot advocate for themselves?