[:en]SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 39
“When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled; they left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah. But the Babylonian army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They captured him and took him to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced sentence on him. There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes and also killed all the nobles of Judah. Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.” (Jeremiah 39:4-7)
“Now nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard: “Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever he asks” (Jeremiah 39:11-12)
“Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. at that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be handed over to those you fear. I will save you; you will not fall by sword but will escape with your live, because you trust in me, declares the Lord'” (Jeremiah 39:16-18)
THE FALL OF JERUSALEM
Zedekiah did not listen to Jeremiah’s message. Instead of surrendering to the king of Babylon, he fled and left the city by night. The enemy caught up with him, killed his sons before his eyes and blinded him.
God rewarded Jeremiah for his faithfulness. He courageously proclaimed God’s word for 40 years and was given freedom by the king of Babylon. However, he chose to remain with his own people to minister to them.
Ebed-Melech was rewarded by God for his kindness in rescuing Jeremiah. God promised to save him because he trusted in God.[:]