[:en]SCRIPTURE: JEREMIAH 38
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine or plague, but whoever goes over to the Babylonians will live. He will escape with his life; he will live.’ And this is what the Lord says: ‘This city will certainly be handed over to the army of the king of Babylon, who will capture it.'” (Jeremiah 38:2-3)
“Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, “This is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel says: ‘If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down’ you and your family will live. But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians and they will burn it down; you yourself will not escape from their hands” (Jeremiah 38:17-18)
JEREMIAH THROWN INTO A CISTERN
Jeremiah told the people that they must go to the Babylonians because if they stay in this city, they will die by sword, famine or plague. God was going to handover this city to the king of Babylon (vs. 2-3)
When the officials heard it, they accused Jeremiah of being a traitor. So, they took him and put him into a cistern with mud. When Ebed-Melech, as Cushite and an official in the royal palace heard it, he reported to the king. Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech to take men with him to life Jeremiah out of the cistern. JEremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.
ZEDEKIAH QUESTIONS JEREMIAH AGAIN
King Zedekiah asked Jeremiah again to tell him honestly what the Lord said. He promised not to kill him or hand him over to those seeking his life. So, Jeremiah said to the king: “Surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon so that your life will be spared and the city will not be burned down. If you refused, you will be captured and the city will be burned down.
King Zedekiah told Jeremiah to keep their conversation secret to ensure his safety. So, Jeremiah remained in the courtyard until the day Jerusalem was captured.[:]