Ebed-melek the Ethiopian was a Gentile and a minor figure who played a huge part in this story. He stood up for Jeremiah when he had nothing to gain (38:7-8), when he wasn't even the same ethnicity, and when his own life could have been in jeopardy by going against King Zedekiah's evil advisors (39:17). He trusted and obeyed God, not out of compulsion nor for personal gain. God's Word to Ebed-melek:
'Yes, I'll most certainly save you. You don't be killed. You'll walk out of there safe and sound because you trusted me.' God's Decree. (39:18)On the other hand, the Judeans and their leaders came to Jeremiah spouting all kinds of spiritual talk.
Pray that your God will tell us the way we should go and what we should do....Whether we like it or not, we'll do it. We'll obey whatever our God tells us. Yes, count on us. We'll do it. (42:3, 6)Wow, those are some big, spiritual-sounding promises out of the mouths of the Judeans. In fact, I think I've heard some of those phrases before - out of my own mouth and the mouths of other Christians. Good intentions, big words, but backed only by an even larger spirit of entitlement. What's truly behind those words is a belief that if I say this and profess it out loud, then others will believe me and think well of me and God won't ask me to suffer, but will reward my easily-spoken words with the answer and blessing that I want. Not exactly the kind of trust that God's seeking from His children.
God looked at the heart of Ebed-melek and these Judeans. He didn't look on the outward appearance nor the religious background. He saw past the embellished, religious talk. God was pointing to what His true followers will look like.
"Not until a person has become so wretched that his only wish, his only consolation is to die - not until then does Christianity begin." (Kierkegaard as quoted in 66LL)
"True Christianity beings in desolation." (66LL)Am I trusting God today out of my desolation and desperation for Him? Or out of my spirit of entitlement?
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What jumped out at me today was that the siege began in the ninth year and tenth month and that the Babylonians didn't break into the city until the eleventh year and fourth month. That is a long time span. Why didn't Zedekiah go ahead and surrender during that time? Jeremiah had told him what would happen if he did and what would happen if he didn't. Zedekiah didn't trust the word of God. He was prideful.
So, my first thought was "how stupid" until God showed me that in my own life He has been asking me to surrender in certain areas as well. I have fought in my own strength rather than surrender and trust God (especially when it looks like defeat) because of a lack of trust. Surrender and live. I am so grateful that He is opening my eyes finally to this and I am finding peace and hope in His faithfulness! His ways are so full of surprises. :)
Faithfulness. I continue to learn and be shown in so many ways how He is so faithful to me. Although in so many ways I am not.
I say Here I am, SEND ME. But then my heart doesn't agree. My heart in unclean. Lord, clean my heart. To serve. To love. To be faithful. To surrender. To give. To sacrifice. To share You. To know You. To follow You. To be humble, Lord.
I am challenged by this trust. And I am so thankful God is shaking up my world right now so that I can cling to Him, no matter how much desolation or desperation I feel at times. I'm truly a rollercoaster. But it's only answered prayers, to see God as my firm rock. And for that, I am so thankful. He hears. He is so faithful. Clean me Lord. Help me to trust You in all things and be faithful to You more and more.
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