In the often-overlooked story of Ebed-Melek, in Jeremiah 38:7-13, we witness an extraordinary act of courage and compassion. Ebed-Melek, an Ethiopian eunuch serving in King Zedekiah’s court, put his well-being aside for a despised prophet's sake.
At that time, the prophet Jeremiah was proclaiming a message that the King and his associates did not want to hear:
Whoever stays on in the city will die in war or of starvation or disease. But those who go out and surrender to the Babylonians will not be killed; they will at least escape with their life...I am going to give the city to the Babylonian army, and they will capture it. (Jeremiah 38:2-3 GNT)
Unable to stand such a proclamation of judgment, they confined Jeremiah to a cistern —a deep well—and left him to die. But when Ebed-Melek learned what had happened to Jeremiah, he went before the king, pleading for his rescue. This was risky; King Zedekiah had authorized Jeremiah’s imprisonment just hours before.
Your Majesty, what these men have done is wrong. They have put Jeremiah in the
well, where he is sure to die of starvation, since there is no more food in the
city.” Then the king ordered Ebedmelech to take with him three men and to pull
me out of the well. (Jeremiah 38:9-10 GNT)
"This passage is remarkable because of Jeremiah's physical rescue and its powerful spiritual symbolism."
Ebed-Melek immediately went into the palace storeroom and got some worn-out clothing. He told Jeremiah to put the rags under his arms so the ropes wouldn't hurt him. They then pulled him up out of the cistern.
This passage is remarkable because of Jeremiah's physical rescue and its powerful spiritual symbolism.
The old rags used to lift Jeremiah symbolize human frailty and brokenness. They remind us that we don’t need to be perfect or have everything together to help others out of their despair. Often, our own vulnerabilities and wounds enable us to empathize and provide genuine support. We can become instruments in God’s hands, gently lifting someone from a place of hopelessness.
The ropes, on the other hand, represent divine strength. While the rags cushioned Jeremiah’s body, the ropes carried his weight and pulled him from the cistern. In the same way, God’s strength sustains and rescues those who are weak. As believers, we can serve as the “ropes” of support for others—offering encouragement, prayer, and practical help to those who are weighed down by their circumstances.
"God redeems human brokenness when touched by the King . . . He turns what seems worthless into something valuable for His service."
This story is even more profound because the rags came from the king’s storeroom. This detail is rich with symbolism: God redeems human brokenness when touched by the King —our Lord. No matter how worn or inadequate we may feel, God can use us as instruments of His grace. He turns what seems worthless into something valuable for His service.
Ebed-Melek’s actions remind us that we are called to lift others out of their pits. The people around us—our pastor, neighbor, co-worker, or even the young person bagging our groceries— might be facing crises that have left them in despair, just like Jeremiah.
As someone who has served in ministry for over thirty years, I can personally attest to the many times others have gone before the King on my behalf, pleading for my case. They came to where I was, placed the rags under my arms, and pulled me out of the pits I found myself in.
Ministry, like life itself, can be lonely and disheartening at times. Perhaps God has positioned you, like Ebed-Melek, to intervene for someone in need. Will you gather the rags and ropes to help lift someone from the pit of despair?
Let us be people who reflect the heart of Christ by lifting others from discouragement through prayer, kind words, and acts of service—just as Ebed-Melek did for Jeremiah. In doing so, we allow God’s strength to shine through our frailty, and we become instruments of His redemptive work.
Get some Rags and Ropes!
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