There is a man in the bible that is not well known. He is not the topic of many sermons nor is he a hero of the faith. Yet his actions were noticed by the one to whom it matters most, The Lord God himself. The first mention of this man it identifies him as an “official” in the royal palace. In ancient times those assigned duties in the Royal place were usually “eunuchs”. Now a eunuch is a particular sort of individual as noted by Jesus in Mathew 19:12 “For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others–and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
Being a eunuch in itself is not what makes this individual unique, but rather it is his actions and devotion ( for the sake of the kingdom) to trusting in The Lord, and also The Lords spokesman; Jeremiah the prophet. The account is as such that as Jeremiah “The Weeping” prophet spoke of judgement and devastation to Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the destruction of the temple, he was not liked by many “false prophets” and those in high position. Sounds much like today of those that only want to have their ears tickled, so he was placed deep in an old cistern (a well) in which the water was gone from and only deep mud remained that Jeremiah sunk into as he was lowered by rope into the mire. This is where our figure enters the story.
This man approaches King Zedekiah king of Judah and tells him that Jeremiah has been dealt with unjustly and will perish if left to remain the the cistern. So he is granted, rather commanded by the King to remove Jeremiah from the pit. He takes 30 men and goes to the cistern and in compassionate manner not only puts down the rope for Jeremiah but brings and provides padding so that the rope does not harm Jeremiah. The prophet is then brought to the courtyard of the palace guard to remain.
Here is The Word of The LORD to the eunuch: Jeremiah 39:15-18 NIV
15 While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: 16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. 17 But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. 18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’”
The name Ebed-Melek have you heard of him? Are you likened unto him? His name means “Servant of The KING” and he was devoted to and trusted in his King and His Kingdom. Not an earthly one , but an everlasting One. We too should be like the eunuch; consecrated for service in The King’s courts, fully trusting in Him. So that His promise would be ours to claim as well that He WILL Rescue us, He WILL Save us from the impending judgements.
Our King left His throne to set as an example of Servanthood, not servitude. I want to serve a King like that. I want to serve my King and to fully and wholly Trust in His Promises. To hear someday “well done good and faithful SERVANT”
A Watchmen on the Wall 