Jeremiah 38: Sinking in Mud, Rising in Faith
Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,
Thus saith the Lord, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.
Thus saith 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 unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.
Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
Now when Ebed–melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
Ebed–melech went forth out of the king’s house, and spake 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 like to die for 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 hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.
So Ebed–melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
And Ebed–melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.
So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the Lord: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?
So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.
Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon’s princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:
But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the Lord hath shewed me:
And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah’s house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.
So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.
Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.
But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:
Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan’s house, to die there.
Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken.
Jeremiah 38 unveils a stark contrast between the prophet's unwavering obedience to God and the cowardly vacillation of King Zedekiah, all against the backdrop of Jerusalem's impending doom. This chapter highlights the personal cost of faithfulness, the power of courageous intervention, and the tragic consequences of choosing fear over obedience.
The Prophet's Peril (Jeremiah 38:1-6)
Jeremiah faced intense opposition for delivering God's message of surrender to Babylon. Government officials, essentially puppeteers controlling the weak-willed King Zedekiah, viewed his words as treason, undermining the morale of the army and the people (Jeremiah 38:1-3). They accused him of weakening the spirit of the soldiers and the populace, and demanded his execution (Jeremiah 38:4). Zedekiah, in a display of spineless leadership, surrendered Jeremiah to his enemies, stating, "Here he is; he’s in your hands since [I] can’t do anything against you" (Jeremiah 38:5).
The officials then cast Jeremiah into a muddy cistern, a literal pit of despair (Jeremiah 38:6). This wasn't just an uncomfortable situation; it was a life-threatening ordeal. We can all relate to times when life feels like "sinking in mud," but for Jeremiah, this was a tangible, terrifying reality. This imagery speaks to the depths of despair and isolation one can experience when standing for truth.
A Courageous Advocate (Jeremiah 38:7-13)
Amidst the darkness, a beacon of hope emerged. Ebed-Melech, a Cushite (African) official in the king's palace, demonstrated remarkable courage and compassion (Jeremiah 38:7). Recognizing the injustice and the danger Jeremiah faced, Ebed-Melech fearlessly approached Zedekiah, informing him of the prophet's plight (Jeremiah 38:8-9).
Ebed-Melech's intervention is a powerful reminder that even in the most corrupt systems, individuals can rise above the prevailing negativity. His actions demonstrate genuine fear of God and a willingness to stand up for what is right, regardless of personal risk. Zedekiah, perhaps spurred by a flicker of conscience or a desire to avoid further unrest, granted Ebed-Melech permission to rescue Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:10). Ebed-Melech, with the help of men, used rags and ropes to lift Jeremiah from the cistern (Jeremiah 38:11-13). Though rescued, Jeremiah remained under house arrest, a testament to the continued threat he posed to the ruling authorities.
A Secret Meeting, a Familiar Warning (Jeremiah 38:14-28)
King Zedekiah, still caught between his fear of the officials and his need for guidance, summoned Jeremiah for a secret meeting (Jeremiah 38:14). His vacillation is evident in his need for secrecy, fearing his own officials. Jeremiah, aware of the king's weakness and the precariousness of his own position, questioned Zedekiah's sincerity: "If I give you advice, you won’t listen to me" (Jeremiah 38:15).
Despite his reservations, Jeremiah faithfully delivered God's message: surrender to Babylon (Jeremiah 38:17-18). He warned that only through submission could the king and the city be spared. Zedekiah then revealed his true fear: retribution from the Judeans who had already defected to the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 38:19). Jeremiah assured him that obedience to the Lord would prevent such a fate (Jeremiah 38:20). However, he warned that continued defiance would lead to mocking, capture, and utter destruction (Jeremiah 38:22-23).
Zedekiah, still unable to commit to the right course, extracted a promise from Jeremiah to keep their conversation secret (Jeremiah 38:24-26). The king prioritized his image and short-term comfort over obedience to God and the long-term well-being of his people. Jeremiah remained in custody until the fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 38:28), a tragic symbol of the consequences of Zedekiah's choices.
Jeremiah 38 serves as a powerful reminder that true courage lies in obedience to God, even when it comes at a personal cost. It also highlights the importance of standing up for justice and truth, even in the face of opposition. The chapter underscores the tragic consequences of fear, indecision, and prioritizing personal comfort over God's will. The story of Jeremiah in this chapter offers vital lessons applicable to our lives today.
Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,
Thus saith the Lord, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live.
Thus saith 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 unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt.
Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.
Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.
Now when Ebed–melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
Ebed–melech went forth out of the king’s house, and spake 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 like to die for 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 hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die.
So Ebed–melech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
And Ebed–melech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.
So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took Jeremiah the prophet unto him into the third entry that is in the house of the Lord: and the king said unto Jeremiah, I will ask thee a thing; hide nothing from me.
Then Jeremiah said unto Zedekiah, If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?
So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.
Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon’s princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:
But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.
And Zedekiah the king said unto Jeremiah, I am afraid of the Jews that are fallen to the Chaldeans, lest they deliver me into their hand, and they mock me.
But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver thee. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.
But if thou refuse to go forth, this is the word that the Lord hath shewed me:
And, behold, all the women that are left in the king of Judah’s house shall be brought forth to the king of Babylon’s princes, and those women shall say, Thy friends have set thee on, and have prevailed against thee: thy feet are sunk in the mire, and they are turned away back.
So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.
Then said Zedekiah unto Jeremiah, Let no man know of these words, and thou shalt not die.
But if the princes hear that I have talked with thee, and they come unto thee, and say unto thee, Declare unto us now what thou hast said unto the king, hide it not from us, and we will not put thee to death; also what the king said unto thee:
Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan’s house, to die there.
Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.
So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was there when Jerusalem was taken.
Jeremiah 38 unveils a stark contrast between the prophet's unwavering obedience to God and the cowardly vacillation of King Zedekiah, all against the backdrop of Jerusalem's impending doom. This chapter highlights the personal cost of faithfulness, the power of courageous intervention, and the tragic consequences of choosing fear over obedience.
The Prophet's Peril (Jeremiah 38:1-6)
Jeremiah faced intense opposition for delivering God's message of surrender to Babylon. Government officials, essentially puppeteers controlling the weak-willed King Zedekiah, viewed his words as treason, undermining the morale of the army and the people (Jeremiah 38:1-3). They accused him of weakening the spirit of the soldiers and the populace, and demanded his execution (Jeremiah 38:4). Zedekiah, in a display of spineless leadership, surrendered Jeremiah to his enemies, stating, "Here he is; he’s in your hands since [I] can’t do anything against you" (Jeremiah 38:5).
The officials then cast Jeremiah into a muddy cistern, a literal pit of despair (Jeremiah 38:6). This wasn't just an uncomfortable situation; it was a life-threatening ordeal. We can all relate to times when life feels like "sinking in mud," but for Jeremiah, this was a tangible, terrifying reality. This imagery speaks to the depths of despair and isolation one can experience when standing for truth.
A Courageous Advocate (Jeremiah 38:7-13)
Amidst the darkness, a beacon of hope emerged. Ebed-Melech, a Cushite (African) official in the king's palace, demonstrated remarkable courage and compassion (Jeremiah 38:7). Recognizing the injustice and the danger Jeremiah faced, Ebed-Melech fearlessly approached Zedekiah, informing him of the prophet's plight (Jeremiah 38:8-9).
Ebed-Melech's intervention is a powerful reminder that even in the most corrupt systems, individuals can rise above the prevailing negativity. His actions demonstrate genuine fear of God and a willingness to stand up for what is right, regardless of personal risk. Zedekiah, perhaps spurred by a flicker of conscience or a desire to avoid further unrest, granted Ebed-Melech permission to rescue Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:10). Ebed-Melech, with the help of men, used rags and ropes to lift Jeremiah from the cistern (Jeremiah 38:11-13). Though rescued, Jeremiah remained under house arrest, a testament to the continued threat he posed to the ruling authorities.
A Secret Meeting, a Familiar Warning (Jeremiah 38:14-28)
King Zedekiah, still caught between his fear of the officials and his need for guidance, summoned Jeremiah for a secret meeting (Jeremiah 38:14). His vacillation is evident in his need for secrecy, fearing his own officials. Jeremiah, aware of the king's weakness and the precariousness of his own position, questioned Zedekiah's sincerity: "If I give you advice, you won’t listen to me" (Jeremiah 38:15).
Despite his reservations, Jeremiah faithfully delivered God's message: surrender to Babylon (Jeremiah 38:17-18). He warned that only through submission could the king and the city be spared. Zedekiah then revealed his true fear: retribution from the Judeans who had already defected to the Chaldeans (Jeremiah 38:19). Jeremiah assured him that obedience to the Lord would prevent such a fate (Jeremiah 38:20). However, he warned that continued defiance would lead to mocking, capture, and utter destruction (Jeremiah 38:22-23).
Zedekiah, still unable to commit to the right course, extracted a promise from Jeremiah to keep their conversation secret (Jeremiah 38:24-26). The king prioritized his image and short-term comfort over obedience to God and the long-term well-being of his people. Jeremiah remained in custody until the fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 38:28), a tragic symbol of the consequences of Zedekiah's choices.
Jeremiah 38 serves as a powerful reminder that true courage lies in obedience to God, even when it comes at a personal cost. It also highlights the importance of standing up for justice and truth, even in the face of opposition. The chapter underscores the tragic consequences of fear, indecision, and prioritizing personal comfort over God's will. The story of Jeremiah in this chapter offers vital lessons applicable to our lives today.