I was just reading in Jeremiah 38-39 of Ebed-Melech, who I don't remember ever reading of or learning about but he's such a great example of a faithful follower of the Lord. He doesn't currently have a Redemption card, but I think it'd be great to have a card for him!
Ebed-Melech was an Ethiopian slave, one of the evil King Zedekiah's eunuchs in his house. When Jeremiah was condemned to death in the lonely mire of the dungeon of Malchiah, Ebed-Melech intervened- probably putting his life at risk in doing so. He left the king's house and spoke directly to Zedekiah, pleading for Jeremiah's life to be spared (though it was King Zedekiah who had given Jeremiah's enemies permission to cast him in the dungeon). The King actually listened to his eunuch and granted his request telling Ebed-Melech, “Take from here thirty men with you, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he dies” (Jeremiah 38:10).
Using old clothes and rags tied together, Jeremiah was lifted out of the dungeon and so his life was spared. In the next chapter, which speaks of the fall of Jerusalem at the hand of the Babylonians, God makes a point to give Jeremiah a special message for Ebed-Melech:
“Go and speak to Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Behold, I will bring My words upon this city for adversity and not for good, and they shall be performed in that day before you. But I will deliver you in that day,” says the Lord, “and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. For I will surely deliver you, and you shall not fall by the sword; but your life shall be as a prize to you, because you have put your trust in Me,” says the Lord.’” - Jeremiah 39:16-18
How wonderful of a reminder that the Lord is watching our lives and it really moves His heart when we love Him and others.
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” - Hebrews 6:10
And what a wonderful reminder of Jesus’ love for us! Like Ebed-Melech, He was willing to die to save we who were condemned to death because of our sins. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.”
Praise the Lord! By His grace, let’s be like Ebed-Melech and love God and people out of gratitude for what Jesus has done for us and out of compassion for those around us who are in need.
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