Our series this month is entitled ENCOUNTERS which is defined as "an unexpected or casual meeting with someone or something."
We are looking at four people this month who had a life impacting encounter with someone.

Last week we looked at the life of Jehosheba in the Old Testament. She was a young woman who rescued the sole surviving member of the lineage of the King David and Jesus Christ. The person saved was an infant who later became the King of Judah.
Today we'll look at another Old Testament character who also came to the rescue of someone.
All of these encounters that we're looking at should challenge us to see the opportunities we have to make a difference in the lives of those we encounter each day.

Movie from 2017 - Dunkirk
The movie focused on the efforts of a number of individuals and their actions and sacrifices to make a large rescue happen during World War II.

Today we'll look at a single individual and the effort he made to help one person who was trapped, tossed aside, and the target of a merciless enemy. The story is primarily found in Jeremiah 38 and 39. The background of the story is found in Jeremiah 34-37.
This person is referred to as Ebed-Melek.
Ebed = servant Melek = king...so the meaning of his name is "A servant of the king."

Here is the story of Ebed and how he encountered the Prophet of God named Jeremiah.
Jeremiah 34-36– The Southern Kingdom of Judah was at war with the nation of Babylon. God had instructed Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch to tell the people that because of their wickedness, He was going to allow Babylon to capture and destroy the city; their only hope was to surrender to Babylon and cast themselves upon their mercy.
Jeremiah 37 – The leaders of Jerusalem were arrogant and insisted the prophet be dealt with. They had no use for God and begin to hatch a plot to get rid of them.
Jeremiah 38– King Zedekiah caved in to the nobles and allowed the people to do whatever they wished with Jeremiah.

We pick up the story in Jeremiah 38:4-6

We can learn a lot about people by watching their actions.
Ebed-Melek was in the right place at the right time and did the right thing, at least based on human ethics and biblical teaching.
Sometimes we just act "right" in front of people for the wrong reason.
When God sees you, what does He see in your heart and actions?

The story continues in Jeremiah 38:7-13

Ebed was hundreds of miles from home living in a foreign land, and you could call him at best, an indentured servant, and at worst an involuntary slave. He had somehow risen to the status of being recognized as having an official role within the king's court.
Here are some observations we can make about Ebed:
- He Learned about the plot of “the Boys." Note: How often are we really aware of what is going on around us?
- He Intervened on the behalf of Jeremiah, the prophet of God, who was down in the mud, and literally at the end of his rope.
- He Approached the King to point out the injustice that had taken place. Note: He clearly and concisely communicated the problem.
- He Listened to the person who had the authority to resolve the situation. - He Obeyed the King, he Resisted temptation, he Gathered resources, he Demonstrated compassion, and he Directed the rescue.

When you are down in the pits, stuck in the mud, the object of ridicule, hatred and gossip, alone, hungry & thirsty, friendless, wallowing in despair, thinking and feeling that life is unfair, and seemingly powerless to change your situation...
Don't you want a person in your life like Ebed-Melek?
A person who is aware of you. A person who will stand up and speak up for you. A person who will come to your aid. A person who honestly cares about your condition. A person who will do whatever it takes for you?
Do you want to be a person like Ebed-Melek?

This week, ask God to make us more like Ebed, and less like us...

1. Touch your Head --- begin to think about the mess this world is in and how many people are trapped, ganged up on, lost, down in the dumps, and despairing over their situation.

2. Touch your Eyes --- look around at people. Their eyes, facial expressions, body posture.

3. Touch your Ears --- listen to what people are saying and ask questions to clarify, not to pry or annoy.

4. Touch your Lips --- speak words on their behalf: prayers, affirmation, and guidance.

5. Touch your Hands --- find ways to serve them, help them, clap for them.

6. Touch your Feet --- make the first move, walk with them, and lead them.

7. Touch your Heart --- love them like Jesus, don’t judge them, and make time for them.

As you read Jeremiah 38 and 39, you see the results of Ebed's actions:
Jeremiah is rescued, he begins to find a life again, he begins to serve God, and he is used to say these words in Jeremiah 39:16-18.