Down In The Pit
Jeremiah 38:6-13 NIV
“So they took Jeremiah and put him into the cistern of Malkijah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud. But Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, Ebed-Melek went out of the palace and said to him, “My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no longer any bread in the city.”
Then the king commanded Ebed-Melek the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.” So Ebed-Melek took the men with him and went to a room under the treasury in the palace. He took some old rags and worn-out clothes from there and let them down with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. Ebed-Melek the Cushite said to Jeremiah, “Put these 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. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.”
In this chapter and throughout the chapter of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah was mocked, threatened, and thrown down into a dark, muddy cistern all because he is a mouthpiece of God, warning and instructing the disobedient people in Jerusalem. Jeremiah did nothing wrong; he did all the right things, yet still has to suffer, whether it’s a little while or a long while. It’s soul-crushing, but God…
God uses people, things, places, and even an attack to teach us in the pit. For His glory and alignment of His perfect plan for us. Whether throwing the rope, the ring buoy, a phone, a prayer, or sometimes His voice that can be hard to hear in the pit, a physical or mental pit. Anything, anyone to intercede on our behalf because we are weak, broken, and in need. Who is your Ebed-Melek? One who can humbly put aside their struggles or might be in the same pit spiritually, but drags you out because they see your suffering, so you no longer feel like a soldier with no army.
Let us pray,
Thank you, God, for using the attack, the confusion, the frustration, and the pain for our alignment for Your Glory for our plan. Our life is in your hands, even though sometimes we find ourselves in the pit. Thank you for not leaving us there. Sending peace and comfort, we pray for you in the pit. Help us to see and hear you even when our mind is a muddy cistern. We cry out for relief, and thank you for the blessings we have and will continue to have. Help us remain in your presence. Thank you for the people, friends, family, even strangers with a heart posture like Ebed-melek who see us in our times of struggle and try to pull us out and not drag us down. A true army of soldiers, Ambassadors of Christ that will never leave a soldier behind, brave and bold to speak of your word to be your mouthpiece, fearlessly in love, peace, justice, no matter what. Abba God help us to be like ebed to others, so even in our circumstances when things get muddy, let us not give up on what you called us to do. Help our hearts not be hardened while we’re in the muddy pit, but still be called to love and serve, remaining steadfast in faith, knowing that we will be delivered soon because the price to pay for you is not compared to the price you paid on Calvary, Jesus. We love you and thank you for your sacrifice and the gift of salvation. Help us to stand firm and know that the muddy pit is nothing compared to the glory of what you have for us. Jesus, we love you. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, amen, according to Jeremiah 38:6-13.
Reflection Questions
- How does the illustration of Jeremiah being placed in the cistern prompt you to trust in God and have blind faith when things seem unfair?
- In these verses, why is it important that Ebed-melek is identified as a Cushite(Ethiopian)? What does it show about God’s sovereignty and justifiable nature?
- In your community, how can you be of service to others and intercede even when you face times of uncertainty like Ebed-Melek and Jeremiah?
Supporting verses Habakkuk 1:5, Ecclesiastes 4:9-10