The Invisibles and the ForgottenНамуна

Ebed-Melek

If we did an informal survey about Ebed-Melek, I think less than 5% of us would remember his story. He was another truly invisible person. His story is found in the book of Jeremiah:

“But Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, Ebed-Melek went out of the palace and said to him, “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.” Then the king commanded Ebed-Melek the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed-Melek 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. Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, “Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so, and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.” (Jeremiah 38:7-13 NIV)

King Zedekiah did not heed Jeremiah’s counsel to surrender to king Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 38 - 39). In fact, the person who believed and feared the word of the Lord was Ebed-Melek the Cushite (an Ethiopian foreigner and eunuch). While the chosen people frequently did not listen to the prophets God raised among them, a foreigner servant understood that Jeremiah was a prophet of the living God. He boldly spoke to the king against what was done to Jeremiah and requested he be taken out of the cistern so he would not die. Not only that, he made sure to throw him old rags to protect Jeremiah’s arms from getting hurt with the ropes when they pulled him out.

Ebed-Melek (a.k.a. Ebed-Melech) teaches us a second lesson when we feel insignificant: trust in God and His Word. He trusted God’s word, took care of the prophet and saved his life, and in the process discovered that there are no invisibles for the Lord. Not foreigners, immigrants, servants or kings, men or women, children or adults. Zedekiah, on the other hand, faced a terrible outcome due to his disobedience and unbelief: they killed his sons in front of him, gouged out his eyes, burnt the city and destroyed the walls of Jerusalem, and sent him to Babylon bound by shackles.

"Truly...the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him." (2 Chronicles 16:9a CSB). The eyes of the Lord focused on Ebed-Melek and He sent him a beautiful message through Jeremiah for what he did.

"But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 39:17-18 NIV). Wow! Imagine receiving such a special message from the God of the Universe! We serve an amazing God who considers mere mortals.

Sometimes, everything around us yells that nothing will change, that all is lost. How is God going to deal with wars, earthquakes, world crises, climate change, political issues, and also have time to help me with something like finding a job? Ebed-Melek was living in uncertain times too. But in spite of it all, he believed God and acted courageously towards the prophet, and in exchange, God spared his life.

It’s hard to comprehend how God can deal with all the issues of the world and also see us. Nonetheless, His power is infinite, nothing and no one escapes His gaze. When we trust in Him and His word, God moves on our behalf. You are not invisible to Him. Even if others forget you, He never does. Consider these loving words God spoke about His people, words that are proof of the love and care He has for His children:

“Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones. But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” (Isaiah 49:13-16 NIV, emphasis mine). Remember, even in the midst of uncertainty, trust in God and His Word. He will not fail and will focus His eyes on you, even when no one else sees you.

Prayer

Thank you for your love, God. Thank you that you don’t show favoritism and that you see the invisibles of the world. Thank you because you will never forget me. May my life be pleasing when your eyes search my heart, Holy Spirit. That even if others don’t believe your Word or trust in you, may you find faith in me. I depend on you. I trust in you because you are the living God. There is no one like you, Jesus. Help me to wait on your promises with joy and hope, knowing that you never fail and are always faithful. May your Word be my strong tower when all is unstable and uncertain. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus’ name, amen.