(story told in Jeremiah 38-39)
Ebed-melech was a servant in the palace of King Zedekiah of Judah during the final days before Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon. He was an Ethiopian eunuch, a foreigner who might have seemed unimportant in the eyes of others, yet his courage and compassion made him stand out in one of Judah’s darkest moments. When others remained silent, Ebed-melech chose to act with faith and justice.
At that time, the prophet Jeremiah had been thrown into a muddy cistern by officials who hated his message from God. They wanted him to die there in the dark, trapped and forgotten. When Ebed-melech heard what had happened, he went directly to the king and pleaded for Jeremiah’s life. He boldly told Zedekiah that the officials had done an evil thing and that Jeremiah would die without help.
Moved by his plea, the king gave Ebed-melech permission to rescue the prophet. Ebed-melech took thirty men and ropes, but he also showed kindness—he brought old rags to place under Jeremiah’s arms so the ropes wouldn’t hurt him. With care and determination, he lifted Jeremiah out of the pit and saved his life.
Later, when Babylon invaded Jerusalem, God sent a message through Jeremiah to Ebed-melech. God promised to protect him because he had trusted the Lord and acted righteously, even when it was dangerous to do so.
Ebed-melech’s story is a powerful reminder that courage and faith are not limited by status, background, or power. He showed that one person, standing up for what is right, can make a difference—and that God sees and honors those who act with compassion and trust in Him.