Jeremiah 38 Friendship in tough times

Do you have a friend who you can count on to help you in tough times? We don’t know the background of Ebed-Melech, the Ethiopian living in Jerusalem, but it seems that in some way he has crossed paths with Jeremiah and became his friend. When the kings evil men put Jeremiah in a mud filled cistern he had not joined in their plan. Secondly, he not only had crossed paths with Jeremiah but also King Zedekiah who was a coward and people pleaser. All we know is that Ebed-Melech’s bravery is noted when he sought the king’s favor to get Jeremiah released. In tough times it helps to have a friend who is willing to stand against evil men’s plans and Ebed-Melech is that friend to Jeremiah. Who is yours? Who can you count on to rise up to help you when others want to end your life?
Ebed-Melech bravely came to the king to give him orders to get Jeremiah out of that mud filled cistern. He not only gave him freedom to do that but also to gather 30 other men to assist him. Thus that is how Jeremiah was released and why we are given this history lesson of compassion and true friendship. Because of that event, God told Jeremiah to tell Ebed-Melech that his life would be spared and honored in the annals of history.
Who is your compassionate friend that you could count on in times of adversity? Do you have a Ebed-Melech in your life?
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