Je 39:15-18 - The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard: “Go, and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will fulfill my words against this city for harm and not for good, and they shall be accomplished before you on that day. But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the LORD.’ ”
In this case, God doesn’t command Ebed-Melech to not be afraid, but shows him God’s care in his fear, and then gives him a promise so he doesn’t need to fear. This is the first type of promise that I have seen like this, and I think it is has to be because this man wasn’t a jew, but he feared God more than the jews. I don’t think he fully understood all the ramifications of trusting God and probably had never had a the word of God to teach him about the Lord God. So, God in his compassion and care, gently encourages him with a promise that he will be saved because of his trust in Him. Ebed-Melech risks his life to care for Jeremiah and God honors that.
1 Ch 16:23-29 - Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling place. Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength, ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name. Bring an offering and come before him; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.
What an amazing passage. At the center of this praise and exaltation of God, is the truth that He is to be feared above all… The reason for this is because He is great and worthy of praise. He made the heavens, and splendor and majesty are before Him. Our response should be to bring an offering of praise before Him. When we trust God, we will be like Ebed-Melech, able to have no reason to fear because the fearful One cares of us. There is no reason to fear when the one we fear is the Lord over all…
Monday, January 28, 2008
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