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	Ebed-Melech --- A Work of Rescue

"He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love." --- (SofS 2:4)
Travis Case, Pastor/Teacher Northgate Baptist Church F.E.A.S.T Ministries

Jer. 38:2-13, "Thus says the Lord: He who remains in this city shall die by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence; but he who goes over to the Chaldeans shall live; his life shall be as a prize to him, and he shall live. Thus says the Lord: This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it. Therefore the princes said to the king, Please, let this man (Jeremiah) be put to death, for thus he weakens the hands of the men of war who remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, by speaking such words to them. For this man does not seek the welfare of this people, but their harm. Then Zedekiah the king said, Look, he is in your hand. For the king can do nothing against you. So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the king's son, which was in the court of the prison, and they let Jeremiah down with ropes. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire. So Jeremiah sank in the mire. Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs, who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon. When the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, Ebed-Melech went out of the king's house and spoke to the king, saying: My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon, and he is likely to die from hunger in the place where he is. For there is no more bread in the city. Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from here thirty men with you, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he dies. So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took from there old clothes and old rags, and let them down by ropes into the dungeon to Jeremiah. Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes. And Jeremiah did so. So they pulled Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the dungeon. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison."

Introduction:

A. The prophet Jeremiah was Condemned To Die.

1. He was confined a murky dungeon --- (hole dug in the ground).

2. He was even denied food and water.

B. Ebed-Melech (a black man & servant of the king) went to the king for permission to help.

1. The king not only gave his consent, but he commanded him to take thirty other men with him.

2. Ebed-Melech effected the deliverance with Great Compassion.

C. In this story we have a wonderful Picture of Our Lord Jesus Christ who engaged in a great mission of rescue.

How Did Ebed-Melech Rescue Jerehiah And
How Are We To Do So Today?

I. Ebed-melech Heard of The Seriousness of Jeremiah's Plight.

A. V. 7, "Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs, who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon."

1. He saw a man starving, sinking and Under Condemnation.

2. Have you seen the Souls of Men like this?

Psa. 40:2-3, "He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock,and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth - praise to our God;"

David --- Psa. 142:4, "Refuge has failed me; No one cares for my soul"

B. Jeremiah Also had compassion for others.

Lam. 3:51, "My eyes bring suffering to my soul..."

C. Do We see and feel the need of those around us who are perishing without Christ?

Matt. 9:36-38, "But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

II. Ebed-Melech Had An Interview With The King.

A. You and I can do the same.

Heb. 10:19-20, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holinest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh..."

B. If you are Burdened for the souls of your loved ones and of others --- Seek An Interview with the King about them.

III. Ebed-Melech Sought The Co-Operation of Others --- (30 Men).

A. We, also, have our King's authority for seeking the co-operation of others for the great work of soul-winning.

(( The Great Commission --- Matt. 28:18-20 ))

B. The paralytic man --- Mark 2:3, "Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men."

C. Matt. 18:19, "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."

IV. Ebed-Melech Showed His Love For Jeremiah.

A. He Not Only showed it by Seeking His Deliverance --- he used ropes And Rags, which would prevent the ropes from chafing under his arms.

1. Jeremiah Could have been saved Without The Rags.

2. But, it so much better with Love And Compassion.

B. Are those around us really Convinced that We Love Them and are concerned about their wellfair --- instead of just being interested in numbers.

V. Ebed-Melech Did Not Rest Until Jeremiah Was Rescued.

A. He had the Patience to --- go to the king --- gather 30 men --- find the needed supplies --- etc.

B. However, sometimes it takes a very long time before a lost friend or loved one is brought to the Lord.

Gal. 6:9, "Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o'er the erring ones, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

If You Are Not Saved, Nothing Else Matters
Prayer Request

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