Biblical Profiles of Leaders of Color:
Ebedmelech
Sunday, February 3, 2019
Woodstream Church
Jeremiah 38:2-13
The Prophet Jeremiah, after years of preaching repentance, advised the leaders and people of Jerusalem to surrender to the Babylonians to prevent a worse fate. Instead of heeding the Word from God, they charged Jeremiah with treason and imprisoned him in a muddy well to die. An Ethiopian court official, Ebedmelech, urged King Zedekiah to reverse this wrong, and obtained permission to pull Jeremiah out of the pit.
He Was a Man of Distinguished Character. Ebedmelech was a man of character who recognized the character of not only Jeremiah, but also of Jeremiah’s enemies. Character discerns character.
He Was a Man of Distinguished Competence. Ebedmelech, a foreigner, rose to a high level of trust and responsibility in the court of Judah. He was recognized for his ability to command and lead men, and was given charge of 30 men to rescue Jeremiah.
He Was a Man of Distinguished Compassion. In arranging for Jeremiah’s release, Ebedmelech not only secured ropes to raise him from the cistern, but rags to cushion him from rope burns while being lifted. He was thoughtful and compassionate towards Jeremiah.