Some names are forever associated with the Bible. Even those with little training recognize Moses, Noah, and Mary as biblical. One name that does not stand out is Ebed-Melech. Indeed, even good Bible students might struggle to pinpoint his place in Scripture. This little-known man had a great impact on the life of one of God’s prophets; he is a man who risked everything to do the right thing. Truly, he still stands as a light in the world.
The collapsing city of Jerusalem was a dark place. As the Babylonians laid siege, Jerusalemites were dying in the streets from starvation. Judah’s feckless king was so paralyzed with fear that he allowed city officials to dictate to him. Amid the chaos stood an old prophet who had warned his countrymen that this was the result of ignoring God. Few have experienced the trials of Jeremiah, yet he refused to soften the Lord’s message.
As times became more desperate, city officials had enough of the unpatriotic prophet who encouraged surrender. To the king, they said, “Let this man be put to death, for he is weakening the hands of the soldiers who are left in this city, and the hands of all the people by speaking such words to them. For this man is not seeking the welfare of this people, but their harm” (Jeremiah 38:4). Powerless against them, the king weakly replied, “Behold, he is in your hands, for the king can do nothing against you” (5). With angered officials and a vacillating king, Jeremiah was lowered into a miry pit to die a slow, painful death.
From seemingly out of nowhere, Ebed-Melech is introduced. With no explanation of how he came to Jerusalem, this Ethiopian eunuch shows moxie in attempting to right the wrongs of Jerusalem’s officials. As King Zedekiah sat publicly in the Benjamin gate, Ebed-Melech demonstrated courage in approaching the king. He stated, “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they did to Jeremiah the prophet by casting him into the cistern, and he will die there of hunger, for there is no bread left in the city” (9). Whether this servant was a proselyte or simply a man who knew right from wrong does not matter; he was a man willing to act on behalf of one who had done nothing to deserve such punishment. The king agreed, allowing him to rescue Jeremiah from the pit. His actions did not go unnoticed by the Lord: “For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in Me, declares the Lord” (39:18). God blesses those who trust in Him.
Though little is written about this man, Ebed-Melech teaches important lessons. For certain, he demonstrates an unwillingness to allow wrong to go unchallenged. The Bible is replete with admonitions for this type of spirit as those in positions to help are commanded to care for the needy. Widows, strangers, orphans, and the poor are often presented as the objects of such help. Ebed-Melech’s example adds another category: those suffering for righteousness’ sake. While modern saints may never have occasion to pull a prophet from the pit, there are numerous occasions to lift up those who are mistreated. Whether this be actively helping to remove someone from a situation or standing up to the slanderous words being spoken about a fellow saint, the spirit of Ebed-Melech encourages Christians to never sit idly as injustice occurs.
A second lesson learned is that one’s station in life does not prevent standing for what is right. If anyone could have chosen a passive response to Jeremiah’s predicament, it was this foreign slave. Yet, when “God’s people” were the villains, a man of no status was the only one willing to approach the king and demand justice. Christians must never fall to the lie that “no one will listen to me.” No excuse must ever keep the faithful from doing what is right.
Finally, Christians should glory in Yahweh’s reaction to Ebed-Melech. The faithful can rest assured that righteous actions are noticed and appreciated by God. As this servant was given his life as a prize of war, God promises the faithful that they will be given the prize of eternal life with Him. May cowardice be anathema to soldiers of the cross as they stand for truth and for those who proclaim it.
This man of old may not be known by many, yet his actions are worthy of emulation. When no one would stand, he stood. When no one would speak, he spoke. Through him, God effected the rescue of his faithful prophet and through him, the face of courage is revealed.
