February 25, 2025

God gave many warnings to the king and princes of Jerusalem, but they were met with indignation, especially from the princes. They were angry that Jeremiah brought nothing but bad news. In their anger, they lowered Jeremiah into a cistern that had no water but was muddy, and he sank in the mud. The Bible doesn't specify how long Jeremiah was there, but it was long enough that he was in danger of starvation. Fortunately for him, an Ethiopian servant, Ebedmelech, in the king's house got word of the evil done to Jeremiah by being put in the cistern and asked King Zedekiah if they could get him out before he died. The king commanded Ebedmelech to take thirty men with him to get him out. Ebedmelech took soft rags and cords to lift Jeremiah out of the pit gently. 

King Zedekiah then had Jeremiah brought to him to get a word from God. Jeremiah was careful about what he said, fearing retribution because there were only warnings and bad news for all of them. Zedekiah promised not to kill him, so Jeremiah told him to turn himself over to the king of Babylon, or the Chaldeans would burn the city. Zedekiah had no intention of doing what God told him through Jeremiah. 

What is the point of listening to preaching or reading the Bible if you don't plan on following the advice given? Do you get credit for showing up to church or reading the Bible? No! Don't waste your time inquiring of God if you don't plan to do what He says. We must be obedient to God so it fares well for us.

So Jeremiah abode in the court of the prison until the day that Jerusalem was taken: and he was therewhen Jerusalem was taken. Jeremiah 38:28