Day 15 | Compassion with Old Rags

Reflection

Who would think of rope burn at a time like this?

It took a special kind of confidence for Ebed-Melek to rescue Jeremiah from the miry pit. And it took a special kind of compassion to consider Jeremiah’s armpits and provide rags and worn-out clothes!

Jeremiah’s words were always going to land him in trouble. But he had some backup when he was in desperate need. When Jeremiah found himself abandoned in a cistern, Ebed-Melek risked his own personal safety to plead Jeremiah’s case to the King. Then, he risked his own personal safety to rescue Jeremiah himself. And, in the midst of danger, he still thought of the little things. Ebed-Melek is the kind of practical and compassionate friend we all need – it’s possible that not everyone around the palace would even know that rope could burn!

The next chapter confirms that it was Ebed-Melek’s trust in the Lord that motivated him (Jeremiah 39:18), but this passage (Jeremiah 38:11–13) beautifully shows his courage and compassion working together. Later, Ebed-Melek himself is saved by the Lord as a result of his actions – an original rags-to-riches story. But he surely wasn’t thinking of himself at the time he acted bravely and with compassion.

The winning combination of trust in God and kindness for another person gave him enough confidence to do the right thing in the right way.

Responding in prayer

Lord, I pray for a heart and mind like Ebed-Melek’s — to be sensitive to the needs and feelings of those around me today.

Help me not just do the right thing but to do it with care and compassion for others.