An unsung hero

But Ebed-Melech, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern… Jeremiah 38:7

Jesus said: When the devil lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

Ebed-who? It may be that Ebed-Melech is a Bible-character you have never heard of before, or someone you’ve never stopped to think about if you have. And that’s understandable, for he appears in the Bible only here, in the book of Jeremiah 37-39. But though the part he plays is quite tiny, it’s also striking in a situation of high drama for the nation of Israel. These chapters describe the momentous event of the fall of Israel to Nebuchadnezzar the king of the Babylonians about 590 BC. A long time ago, of course; yet there are worth-while lessons we today can still learn from.

Three figures play a particular part in the drama – an uncompromising prophet, Jeremiah; a weak king of Judah, Zedekiah; and a brave unsung hero, Ebed-Melech.

Take Jeremiah first.

It fell to him to speak for God at this time of terminal crisis, and his message was anything but popular. The mighty Babylonians were beating at the gates of Jerusalem and King Zedekiah of Judah was at a loss to know what to do. Jeremiah’s message is crystal clear: Give in! Don’t resist! Accept that this your destiny, God’s way of bringing judgment on his precious people. That way, at least you will survive physically, and Jerusalem will be spared from total destruction.

Jeremiah brought bad news; and who, in life in general, likes a bringer of bad news? Answer, Nobody. But there are times when bad news is God’s sombre but true message, and such a time had come for Israel. Jeremiah refuses to compromise his message, regardless of the possible consequences. Chapter 38:1-4 give us the names of three officials of King Zedekiah who were particularly outraged: “This man should be put to death. He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people…”.

We all long for leaders, whether political or spiritual, who are men and women of courage, honesty and integrity; leaders whose words we know we can trust, however unwelcome they may be. We somehow recognise them and instinctively respect them. And how cynical and critical we tend to be, even perhaps justifiably so, when they fall short,.

But what about the rest of us? It’s hypocrisy to ask for integrity and transparency from those who lead us, whether in the church or in world affairs, but then fall short ourselves. Jeremiah suffered because of his courage, and so may we – think of the whistle-blower, or the politician who refuses to toe the party-line. Yes, they may be seen by some as self-important trouble-makers (and there may even be an element of truth in that) but their voices may also be very important.

Jeremiah, in a word, “spoke truth to power”, and it cost him. Do we have that kind of moral backbone and determination?

Second, what about Zedekiah?

He came to power as a puppet ruler set up by King Nebuchadnezzar (37:1), and he is now remembered as the twenty-first – and last - king of Judah, reigning nominally from roughly 597 to 587. The great days of David and Solomon are long gone, and the crisis of complete take-over by the mighty (and cruel) Babylonians is looming.

Sadly, Zedekiah comes across as weak and spineless. He is indifferent to God’s word - and yet prepared to ask Jeremiah for his prayers (37:1-3). He refers to God as “our” God, and wants to know if “there is any word from the Lord” (37:17) - but he clearly has no confidence in God, and his faith is purely skin-deep. When Jeremiah’s opponents say that he should be put to death, his reply is pathetically feeble: “he is in your hands… The king can do nothing to oppose you” (as if to say, “I’m only the king, after all”).

And that’s how Jeremiah ends up being dumped in some kind of water-tank. His opponents in fact hold back from killing him - we don’t know why; not, I suspect, out of compassion – but “they lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water in it, only mud, and Jeremiah sank down into the mud” (38:6). Oh well, I suppose that’s one way to silence God’s spokesman…

Such giving in by King Zedekiah suggests a near-broken man. Whether a stronger king could have made much difference is, I suspect, doubtful: God’s time had come. But nonetheless Zedekiah stands as an emblem of failure.

I think this suggests something to those of us who are Christians about our attitude towards our secular, political leaders. But I’m running out of space, so I’ll leave it till next time – and then move on to the third figure in our story, Ebed-Melech, where we started. I think we will find in him a small ray of light to brighten all the murk and misery which fill this sad story. Pease join me again next time.

Dear Father, thank you for the courage and honesty of Jeremiah, who stood against the forces of lies and evil. Please forgive those times I have kept quiet, or even lied, when it was my responsibility to speak unwanted truths, regardless of the consequences. Lord, give me honesty and integrity in every situation! Amen.