17 “But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. (MEN DON’T HAVE THE FINAL SAY, GOD DOES!) 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, BECAUSE YOU TRUST IN ME, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 39
These words from God were addressed to Ebed-Melech the Cushite (Libyan, I believe). He had gone to King Zedekiah and asked to be allowed to rescue Jeremiah from the pit where the King’s officials had thrown him. They wanted to stop the prophet telling the people in Jerusalem what would happen to them if they continued to resist the Babylonians. So reminiscent of others today, who know they’re defeated, but still battle on, seeking to hold onto power and keep people captive to their failing and falling regimes. God’s decrees will come to pass today just as surely as they did to the besieged city of Jerusalem.
King Zedekiah called Jeremiah to a secret meeting and asked for his counsel regarding the plight of the city. Jeremiah told him to surrender to the Babylonian army, BUT THE KING WAS AFRAID of his own officers and the Jews who had gone over to the enemy.
20 ‘They will not hand you over,’ Jeremiah replied. ‘Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared. Jeremiah 38
The prophet told the King the way out of his desperate situation, obey God’s word and surrender, but he didn’t take the way of escape offered to him and suffered terribly as a result. I heard a prophet recently admonishing some people on the dark side to turn to God, acknowledge their wrongdoing and surrender to Him, while they still could. The time came when the door closed for the people in Jerusalem and all chance of escape was gone. Whatever your situation today, God is willing to forgive if you’ll turn to Him in surrender. He knows everything anyway, so seize the opportunity while it’s available, put yourself into His hands for as David said, ‘God is compassionate’.
14 David said to Gad, ‘I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, FOR HIS MERCY IS GREAT; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.’ 2 Samuel 24:14
This foreign official, Ebed-Melech and Jeremiah were the only two people mentioned who would walk away from Jerusalem when God’s judgment fell. Jeremiah even received blessing from the enemy. God is still able to deliver in the worst of circumstances. Don’t fear the threats of men, turn to Him. He can and will deliver, even in a day of judgement. Jeremiah was bound in chains with the rest of his people but the King of Babylon ordered his release.
Then the commander GAVE HIM PROVISIONS AND A PRESENT AND LET HIM GO. 6 So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land. Jeremiah 40
God also ensured provision and protection for His prophet and allowed him to remain in the land and not be taken prisoner to Babylon.
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.