IS ANYONE THERE?
Opening Prayer
Thank You, Jesus, for breaking the power of darkness.
Read Jeremiah 39:1–18
1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his whole army and laid siege to it. 2 And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city wall was broken through. 3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and took seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officials of the king of Babylon. 4 When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled; they left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah.
5 But the Babylonian army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They captured him and took him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence on him. 6 There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and also killed all the nobles of Judah. 7 Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.
8 The Babylonians set fire to the royal palace and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. 9 Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard carried into exile to Babylon the people who remained in the city, along with those who had gone over to him, and the rest of the people. 10 But Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.
11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard: 12 “Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever he asks.” 13 So Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, Nebushazban a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officers of the king of Babylon 14 sent and had Jeremiah taken out of the courtyard of the guard. They turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him back to his home. So he remained among his own people.
15 While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: 16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. 17 But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. 18 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.’”
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
“O loving wisdom of our God! When all was sin and shame. A second Adam… to the rescue came” (John Henry Newman, 1801–1890).Here is a story of sharp contrasts. God’s mission of salvation comes with inevitable judgment. It’s a story of rich and poor, of destruction contrasted with protection, of humiliation and honoring, of faithfulness and infidelity.
King Zedekiah as leader bears responsibility for the state of the nation. He is soundly defeated, his household despoiled, his palace destroyed, and he himself humiliated. Shorn of power, he is taken into captivity as God had warned. The proud are brought low as God’s judgment begins with his own household (1 Pet. 4:17). Far from being immune to his searching judgment, God’s people stand first in line. Greater privileges carry greater responsibilities.
In contrast, the poorest people in Judah are left, Jeremiah is honored by the Babylonians, and Ebed-Melek, the original Ethiopian eunuch (38:7, ESV), is favored by God (18). He demonstrated his trust in God by siding with Jeremiah and therefore with God’s Word (Jer. 38:7–13). Amid the chaos of evil, God still had his people, even when it seemed no one was left. God can use anyone to accomplish his purpose, even Babylonians who do not recognize the Lord. He looks for faithful people.
Apply
Do you ever feel isolated as a follower of Jesus? Find a fellow believer who seems to be discouraged. Share some encouragement today. Sometimes we have to be the one to reach out.
Closing prayer
Pray for those who feel isolated and are struggling alone. Pray that God would give you the opportunities to build bridges.
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