Sermon – Help For Those Stuck in the Mud
Scripture Lesson: Jeremiah 38:1-11 “Now Shephatiah son of Mattan, Gedaliah son of Pashhur, Jehucal son of Shelemiah, and Pashhur son of Malkijah heard what Jeremiah had been telling the people. He had been saying, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Everyone who stays in Jerusalem will die from war, famine, or disease, but those who surrender to the Babylonians will live. Their reward will be life. They will live!’ The Lord also says: ‘The city of Jerusalem will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.’” So these officials went to the king and said, “Sir, this man must die! That kind of talk will undermine the morale of the few fighting men we have left, as well as that of all the people. This man is a traitor!” King Zedekiah agreed. “All right,” he said. “Do as you like. I can’t stop you.”
So the officials took Jeremiah from his cell and lowered him by ropes into an empty cistern in the prison yard. It belonged to Malkijah, a member of the royal family. There was no water in the cistern, but there was a thick layer of mud at the bottom, and Jeremiah sank down into it. But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an important court official, heard that Jeremiah was in the cistern. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate, so Ebed-Melech rushed from the palace to speak with him. “My lord the king,” he said, “these men have done a very evil thing in putting Jeremiah the prophet into the cistern. He will soon die of hunger, for almost all the bread in the city is gone.” So the king told Ebed-Melech, “Take thirty of my men with you, and pull Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went to a room in the palace beneath the treasury, where he found some old rags and discarded clothing. He carried these to the cistern and lowered them to Jeremiah on a rope.”
Introduction: Have you ever been stuck? The truth is, everybody gets stuck, at some time, some place. Living life is hard! Sometimes God’s message is hard. Often His messengers are misunderstood. Of life, Job 5:7 reads,” Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.” A man that is born of woman has but a few days, and they are full of trouble. For the child of God, life’s problems seem just as complexed and some trials feel impossible to overcome, some sink into deep despair. Often during such desperation, we feel alone and isolated. We feel as if we have been cast into a deep pit without hope!
At the present moment, Israel’s king, King Zedekiah fail to provide proper leadership. He was indecisive and allowed the government officials to seize power to do anything they wanted. The government officials were out of control, so labeled Jeremiah, a traitor and took their anger on him. When people label you, they often mistreat you. These were God’s chosen people, the seed of Abraham, but they are not acting that way. With the government out of control, stuck in the mud, Jeremiah down in a muddy cistern, stuck up to his arm pit, with no way out and the enemy knocking at the door, God still had a way out! God’s way out does not look like much. God’s man does not look like a hero. His name is Ebed-Melech, an African eunuch.
It is said of Ebed-Melech that he was an Ethiopian which means that he was captured heathen, selected to serve the king. The scripture asks, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin?” Even though an Ethiopian cannot change their skin color, this Ethiopian eunuch had a transformed moral character and was an example of grace and integrity among his kind. Many eunuchs were known to be cruel, hostile and without pity. They had a reputation for cruelty, but Ebed-Melech was different. He was as kind as the rest of his clan was cruel. Someone called him, “The benevolent Eunuch.” Then he is likewise described as a servant of the king. Royal servants were usually godless, because they serve their as if the king was god. But Ebed-Melech was faithful to God and faithful to king Zedekiah. He loved the prophet Jeremiah and risked his own life to save the man of God. Among the lessons to be gleaned from the record of this eunuch who was greater than his fellows are: He was superior to his surroundings. He put more pretentious people to shame. He had the courage of his convictions. He had a kind way of doing kindness. He achieved a great service with poor instruments. Old rags and cords! How God can use weak things for the accomplishment of His plan! His faith in God was the secret of his noble life. He was divinely rewarded by God.
Psalms 28:1 “To you, Lord, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit. During these hopeless times, where do we look for help? How can we climb out of the pits of despair? Many faithful believers have been deliberately put into pits of despair by the ungodly.
Psalms 119:85-88, “The arrogant dig pits to trap me, contrary to your law. All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause. They almost wiped me from the earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts. In your unfailing love preserve my life, that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.”
Jeremiah 38 and 39 tells the story of God’s people being stuck in the mud of rebellion by choice, Jeremiah has been forced into a muddy pit because he spoke an unpopular message for God. Ebed-Melech is a eunuch forced into servanthood stuck in a powerless position as a servant of the king. Let’s look at the historical setting of the text. The fall of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) is imminent (it occurs in 39:1-2). Jeremiah has been encouraging Jerusalem’s citizens to surrender to Babylon and avoid death. The rebellious citizens scoff at the prophet’s words and begin open persecution.
Jeremiah finds himself under increasing persecution. King Jehoikim commands the arrest of Jeremiah and his scribe Baruch. He destroyed Jeremiah’s writings and put him in prison. After Jeremiah’s release, he resumed his preaching. Then the leaders of Jerusalem insist that the prophet be imprisoned because his message was undermining the courage of the people. In Jeremiah 38, the leaders had become more powerful than the king, so spineless Zedekiah tells the leaders to do whatever they wish with Jeremiah. They quickly put Jeremiah in a cistern and left him to die.
Jeremiah found himself mired in a literal pit. He was caught in deep despair. The prophet was the object of hatred because he urged Jerusalem to submit to God’s commands. Jeremiah suffered abuse from those who persecuted him – slander, false accusations, beatings, anger, and all other expressions prompted by bitterness and vindictive feelings. Finally the prophet was seized and thrown into an empty cistern. He sank into the mud.
The faithful prophet was surrounded by despair. Emotionally and physically, Jeremiah was exhausted. Spiritually he may have been questioning God. In Jeremiah 1:17-19, God warned that Jeremiah had a lifetime of opposition ahead of him, but at the same time he promised to specially strengthen his servant. All the attacks on Jeremiah, whether from political leaders, religious leaders or the people at large, would not overcome him, because God would strengthen and defend him. God had promised Jeremiah divine protection. Regardless of the emotions, Jeremiah was in the pit of despair. What would he do? The answer is found in the first word of 38:7 – “But Ebed-Melech.” Here was God’s answer to the pit of despair – the kindly services of a fellow servant! Ebed-Melech presents a wonderful lesson on Christian sympathy!
1. Choose Love Over Hate. We must be God’s help for those stuck in the mud by practicing true love. In his example we discover a fantastic illustration of Romans 12:9-16 where the text reads, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”
Even this passage written many years after Ebed-Melech’s time, he lived out this text through his genuine sympathy and concern. Ebed-Melech had concern for human life. At first glance this trait may not seem to deserve special attention. However, this was very unusual in the days of Ebed-Melech. During this time life was cheap and getting cheaper. Babies had been sacrificed on the alters of Moloch; slaves had been kept contrary to the Law. In extreme cases, mothers had eaten their own babies because of the famine’s severity! There was no respect for the fundamental value of human life. However, Ebed-Melech did not allow this devaluation to infect him. Ebed-Melech knew that people were important; life was valuable. He was sensitive when anyone’s life was cheapened, and basic dignity was degraded. He was compassionate, sympathetic, and benevolent to all and especially to Jeremiah.
Galatians 6:10, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” Remember how the first century church demonstrate this concern for humanity. No matter the social position, material wealth, or political powers, everyone was reckoned as equal and in need of the Gospel.
2. Choose Courage Over Fear and Intimidation. We must be God’s help for those stuck in the mud by practicing true love and by acting courageous despite fear and intimidation. Ebed-Melech had great courage despite the opposition of hostile leadership and a vacillating king. His rescue of Jeremiah was an unpopular action. Even though he had asked King Zedekiah for permission to rescue Jeremiah, and the King gave him permission and 30 men to help him, it was still a risky act. Some might possibly even accuse Ebed-Melech of “Treason”. It appears that the Ethiopian refused to let men frighten him. Courage is needed in performing Christian sympathy today. Today’s climate applauds those who oppress the weak, the poor, the steadfast, the devout, and those committed to righteousness. If you are viewed as standing firm for the convictions of your religious faith, you will quickly run into opposition. They will use every available means to intimidate you into either silence or compromise. If others come to help you, they will face the same opposition. Courage is needed to rise help those stuck in the mud of poverty, abuse, depression and weakness. It takes courage to fight right, to stand against compromise and to lift the downtrodden. It takes courage to face intimidating threats and vicious slander of today. It takes great courage to stand up because they refuse to accept the prevailing idea of lack and not enough for all in God’s abundant world.
Anyone who has ever been thrown into the pits of despair will quickly tell you the value of courageous sympathizers who bring help and comfort. Letters, phone calls, prayers, and visits all help to lighten the despondency that surrounds the one stuck in a pit for any reason, but especially when they mistreated for doing God’s will. Let us become a modern-day Ebed-Melech who will stand courageously with those who refuse to compromise God’s commands! As God’s people let’s choose love over hate and live out the Great Commandment; let’s choose courage over fear and intimidation and confident stand for right and lift those who are stuck. Finally, let’s be people of great influence by working ourselves and developing our integrity.
3. Choose to Be People of Great influence. Ebed-Melech had no freedom, political power, no children, and no worldly status, but he had great influence. His solid character, hardworking conduct, gentle approach, kind conversation, all came into play as he persuaded the King to release Jeremiah. Because he was a good servant and an honorable man, he had weighty influence. Here was a man whose influence was founded upon his integrity! Many attempt to influence through worldly means – pressures, intrigue, gossip, etc. However, Ebed-Melech was not like this. His influence was attributed to his righteous ways and productive living. This example urges all Christians to develop a good reputation so that when others are thrown into pits of despair, the godly Believer can help rescue them! We must behave so that people will respect our thoughts and suggestions. Proper influence with those who are opponents of God’s will and persecutors of God’s faithful, is important. How can Christians develop a position of influence with those in this group? Will it be by compromise? By silence?
Ephesians 4:25-29 counsel us with sound advice, “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”
Ebed-Melech was a man who was kind and sympathetic, a man of influence and a man of great faith. His faith is implied because he befriended Jeremiah and is stated explicitly in 39:18. Ebed-Melech “trusted” the Lord God. If we have a faith similar to Ebed-Melech then we will not hesitate to offer help to those who are persecuted and maligned because of their steadfast courage and convictions. We will “fear” God more than we do men! We will seek God’s commendations more than men’s. When you are stuck in the mud, we will need the help of kind people who know how to help us. People with influence that are respected by others. People with great faith who have the courage to act. More than that, we need people who can provide a great service.
Ebed-Melech provided a great service. What greater service is there than rescuing another from the pits of despair? What a wonderful action to practice – lifting another up from the mud of discouragement! That’s what the little boy did for Samson who had no eyes and needed help find the temple support columns. That’s what the little servant girl did for the general, Naaman who was stuck in leprosy. That’s what Ebed-Melech did for Jeremiah who was stuck in the mud. It is one thing to get permission from the king and 30 men to help, but He also got ropes and old rags. He wanted to help Jeremiah get out of the pit, but he did not want to bring greater harm to the prophet in the rescue. Here is a valuable lesson for Christians to ponder – It is not only what we do that is important but how we do it! As God’s servants we must rescue the lost and restore the fallen and encourage the fainthearted. However, we must be careful that we do so with great sympathy, lest we do more damage than good! Jeremiah is an old man, with tender skin, in a deep pit and he must be handled with care.
The nation would get unstuck by obeying God’s command, Jeremiah was unstuck by the help of Ebed-Melech and God would reward Ebed-Melech for his sympathy and kindness to His servant, Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 39:16-18 God makes a promise to Ebed-Melech, “I will send disaster, not prosperity. You will see its destruction, but I will rescue you from those you fear so much. Because you trusted me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe.”
Ebed-Melech who had no freedom to leave, yet he was promised security by God amid the coming disaster on Israel, God’s rebellious nation. He would not suffer in the coming crisis as those who were insensitive to God’s commands. He would be delivered because he trusted in God and stood by the accused Jeremiah. How thankful he must have been to hear the words of Jeremiah that announced his salvation! He portrays the rewards awaiting God’s faithful followers. Far too few realize the pitiful condition of those who refuse to obey God and resist the will of God. There is a far greater reward awaiting the faithful believer than that experienced by Ebed-Melech. There is the joyful anticipation of Heaven’s splendor. This ought to be enough to urge us to live godly and obediently to God in today’s world.
Ebed-Melech was an obscure servant, but he was a powerful character! His sympathetic character, absolute trust in God, and wonderful reward bring us to understand a powerful lesson! Ebed-Melech illustrates a very simple fact: Those who strive to follow God’s absolute will are going to meet opposition; they may be thrown into the pits of despair. However, those sympathetic believers who will come along and rescue others from the mire of despondency will be rewarded by God. Their lives are a blessing to the godly. What should we do with these lessons from Ebed-Melech? Remember his wonderful life of sympathy, trust, and courage! Resolve that you will become as he was! Reflect his life of sympathy towards Jeremiah so we can practice kindness to all brethren who are struggling against Satan’s forces to remain steadfast in their obedience! Finally, repent and reform if our actions as believers have not demonstrated the trust and courage to uphold the steadfast and rebuke the faithless! So, Choose Love Over Hate, Choose Courage Over Fear and Intimidation and finally, Choose to Be People of Great influence for good. You will be God’s rock in a weary land and God’s shelter from the stormy blast. You will God’s oasis in the middle of a desert. You will be God’s agent of Rescue. Amen!
