Political parties in Judah: Majority – 37:19, 38:4 True majority – 38:2-3, Jeremiah and God: Babylon will come, defeat Judah, take captives Only one hope: surrender

Four Characters (Je.38) Princes, 38:4a, 6 Zedekiah, 38:5 Jeremiah, 38:6 (Ac.14:22) Ebed-melech, 38:7-13

I He Could Be Counted On, 7-10 Don’t know if he could preach, lead singing, lead prayer, etc., but... Can you be counted on? “I can’t do anything…” “Why don’t they do sth.?” 3 Jn.5-8 Lk.16:10-12

II He Used What He Had, 11 He could have run around wringing his hands in a panic Only a lowly eunuch V. 5; Aaron; Saul , torn and worn out clothes and ropes He did the right thing in the most gentle way – a lesson for us

Mt.25:14-30 Many allow talents to rust instead of using them for God “If only I had a good education...” “If only I could teach, preach…” “If only I had a million dollars…” 2 Co.8:12 What do we do w. what we have?

No one is too lowly to serve Ex.3, Moses Ac.4:13, Peter and John 2 Co.12, Paul

III He Was An Alien, 7, 10, 12 Not one of Jeremiah’s countrymen stepped up to help 2:32, Jews forgot God. A Gentile was more interested in God’s prophet than Jews were trusted 39:18, trusted in God Lk.16:8, people of the world Ro.10:1-3, people in religious error

IV Willing To Swim Against The Current, 9 Dangerous and unpopular to ask king to reverse his orders We still need people who are unafraid to speak up for the truth Elders... Preachers... If you can’t take the lead, at least follow If you can’t be a Jeremiah, at least be an Ebed-melech

V God Rewarded Him, 39:15-18 Life…as a prize to you “as booty” (NASB) “as a prize of war” (ESV) As hunter snatches an animal, so E-M has snatched his life from destruction – an unexpected gain Ac.8

Whatever Happened To... ? 1.Princes 1.Princes? These rebels met God’s judgment 2.Zedekiah 2.Zedekiah? Refused to change his own heart, hoping instead to change God. He also met Nebuchadnezzar 3.Jeremiah 3.Jeremiah? Spared by Nebu.; probably died in Egypt in God’s service 4.Ebed-m 4.Ebed-m? This “servant of the king” stands as a role model for all