Chicken Soup for the Soul was hugely successful because it was a compilation of stories that touched the heart and showed the ‘human kindness’ side of humanity. That is how I felt reading today’s passage. Today’s passage about the life of Jeremiah is one of the most touching things I read in the Scriptures.
Jeremiah prophesied halfway through the reign of King Josiah. King Josiah was nothing like his father or the Jewish kings and culture before him. He became King at 8 years old and we are told he began to seek the Lord and restore the house of the Lord (2 Chronicles 34:3). In doing so, the workers found the lost and forgotten Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy & Numbers). Josiah had it read aloud, tore his clothing, grieved and desired to turn the people of God back to true faith. He had Asherah poles torn down, temples cleaned out and led the people in a Passover celebration like none before. It is during this time and the reign of 4 wicked kings following that Jeremiah preaches and predicts the destruction of Jerusalem and captivity of the people of Israel if they do not sincerely turn from their ways. We know, of course, that he preaches this message throughout the whole of this time, only to witness the captivity and exile of God’s people to Babylon.
Jeremiah is called in privately to speak with the king, and he makes it clear that it is now too late, and the people of Israel must leave the city or stay and be destroyed. This message is neither appreciated nor heeded:
4 Then the officials said to the king, “This man should be put to death.He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people, by the things he is saying to them. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin.”
5 “He is in your hands,”King Zedekiah answered. “The king can do nothing to oppose you.”
6 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 down into the mud.
7 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,8 Ebed-Melek went out of the palace and said to him,9 “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.”
10 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.”
11 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 ropesto Jeremiah in the cistern.12 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,13 and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard. (Jeremiah 38:4-13)
These are the words that jumped off of the page as if I had never read them before: “Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Imagine being lowered down into a deep, empty old well and left to die. The bottom of the well is mucky and wet, for we are told that Jeremiah sunk down into it. Imagine being so frightened of the darkness, starvation, sinking further, being unable to lay down or sit because of the sinking mud, and being utterly and totally alone. Now, if someone threw me a rope to tie around myself or to use to climb out, I can guarantee I would make it work. I’d grasp that rope for dear life, climb against the walls, and the knots holding me in would be so secure I wouldn’t care if my whole body was rope burned—as long as I made it out.
Whoever this Ebed-Melek is, we know that he didn’t believe Jeremiah’s message. Remember that Jeremiah was told that not one would listen to or take heed to his words. And yet this man is touched by Jeremiah’s predicament and not only sees that he is removed from the well, but he cares that the old man isn’t hurt in the process. Jeremiah is old. He is feeble. And the respect shown here, the kindness and consideration must have done much to encourage him and make him feel loved. On first reading, my thought was that Jeremiah was maybe stripped naked, or his clothes would be all muddy. But it is a consideration deeper than that. Ebed-Melek is concerned that Jeremiah is not further hurt as he is lifted out. It took thought, action and actually going to the room below the treasury before rushing off to the cistern.
Mark Twain says, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” I wonder how much hope and encouragement our simple acts of kindness bring.
For I [Jesus] was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ (Matt. 25:35-40)
Never, ever underestimate your little acts of kindness. God felt it important enough that we are told of the kindness of Ebed-Melech in the Bible. And today may He bless you as you act as His hands and feet through many simple acts of kindness to the hurting and lost world around you.