December 7

DECEMBER 7.—“Now the word of the Lord came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying, Go and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee. But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee; because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord.”—Jeremiah 39:15—18.

IT is observable that Jeremiah himself was charged with this consolatory message to Ebed-melech, who had acted so nobly as his friend, and obtained his deliverance from the dungeon. Nothing could have been more agreeable and delightful to his feelings than to be the medium of such a communication; for grace by making a man humble always makes him grateful; and though his praise is principally due to the Author of all his mercies, he will not overlook the instruments.

The address implies the apprehension of Ebed-melech, yea, it is expressly said he was “afraid.” Of whom? Of the princes whose doings he had opposed and censured? or the Chaldeans that were now encompassing the city? It is not possible to determine this; neither is it necessary. But while he is informed that the words concerning Jerusalem should be accomplished, and that he should witness it, he receives the assurance; “But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the Lord: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou art afraid. For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee.”

Behold the value and importance of life, and see how able the Lord is to secure it even in the midst of general calamity and desolation; according to the promise: “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.” The preservation of Noah in the Deluge, of Lot in the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, of the Israelites in Goshen, from the plagues of Egypt, and of the mourners in Ezekiel from the men with the slaughter weapons; all these show that “the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished.”

If Ebed-melech believed this declaration he would not only dwell safely, but be in quiet from the fear of evil, his mind kept in perfect peace, being stayed upon God. When we consider the structure of our frame, and the numberless dangers to which we are exposed, we cannot reckon upon living a day or an hour to an end, without the Preserver of men. But all our times are in his hand, and he makes us immortal till our work is done—

Hast though not given thy word To save my soul from death? And I can trust my Lord To keep my mortal breath.