PROCLAMATION
“Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, ‘Put theses
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…”
Jeremiah 12-13 (NIV)
EXPLANATION
These
are the words of The Lord God which were spoken to the prophet Jeremiah and
proclaimed to the people of Judah. Jeremiah
was overheard telling the people that The Lord God says: “Whosoever stays in
this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the
Babylonians will live.” The officials
who heard him say that told the king that he should be put to death for
discouraging the soldiers and the people. (Jeremiah 38:1-4) The king told them to do with him as they
pleased, so they took Jeremiah and put him in a cistern which had mud in it but
no water. (Jeremiah 38:5-6) When
Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, an official of the royal palace, heard what they had
done to Jeremiah, he went to the king and said that they had done evil to the
prophet. The king then said take thirty
men and lift Jeremiah out of the cistern before he dies. (Jeremiah 38:7-10) Afterwards, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah
and again asked him what The Lord God says. (Jeremiah 38:14-16)
APPLICATION
Life will not always be a bed of roses. Sometimes we will fall into the mud, or get pushed into the mud, or get thrown into the mud. However it happens that we find ourselves in the mud, The Lord God is still in control. He will not leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) He will send someone to our rescue. He can even use some of the people who helped to put us in the mud to help get us out of the mud. Our help may not come from our family or friends. Those who did us wrong may later on be put in a position where they need our help. Regardless of how they treat us, as believers we are to love our enemies and pray for those who misuse us. (Matthew 5:44) If we only love them who love us, then we are no different from the lost sinners of the world. (Matthew 5:46-47)
Life will not always be a bed of roses. Sometimes we will fall into the mud, or get pushed into the mud, or get thrown into the mud. However it happens that we find ourselves in the mud, The Lord God is still in control. He will not leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) He will send someone to our rescue. He can even use some of the people who helped to put us in the mud to help get us out of the mud. Our help may not come from our family or friends. Those who did us wrong may later on be put in a position where they need our help. Regardless of how they treat us, as believers we are to love our enemies and pray for those who misuse us. (Matthew 5:44) If we only love them who love us, then we are no different from the lost sinners of the world. (Matthew 5:46-47)
No comments:
Post a Comment