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From Splendor to Shadow

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    An Ethiopian Saves Jeremiah's Life

    The cowardly king knew that the charges were false, but to propitiate those high and influential in the nation, he gave Jeremiah into their hands to do as they pleased. The prophet was cast “into the dungeon of Malchiah ... : and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: and Jeremiah sunk in the mire.” But God raised up friends for him, who besought the king and had him again removed to the court of the prison. Verse 6.SS 238.4

    Once more the king sent privately for Jeremiah and bade him relate the purpose of God toward Jerusalem. Jeremiah inquired, “If I declare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee counsel, wilt thou not hearken unto me?” The king entered into a secret compact with the prophet. “As the Lord liveth, ... I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.” Verses 15, 16.SS 238.5

    There was still opportunity for the king to heed the warnings, and thus to temper with mercy the judgments falling on city and nation. “If you will surrender to the princes of the king of Babylon,” was the message given the king, “then your life shall be spared, and this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live. But if you do not surrender ..., then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape from their hand.” Verses 17, 18, RSV.SS 238.6

    “I am afraid of the Jews who have deserted to the Chaldeans,” the king replied, “lest I be handed over to them and they abuse me.” But the prophet promised, “You shall not be given to them.” And he added the earnest entreaty, “Obey now the voice of the Lord in what I say to you, and it shall be well with you, and your life shall be spared.” Verses 19, 20, RSV.SS 239.1

    Had the king chosen to obey, lives might have been spared and the city saved from conflagration; but he thought he had gone too far to retrace his steps. He was afraid of ridicule, afraid for his life. After years of rebellion against God, Zedekiah thought it too humiliating to say to his people, I accept the word of the Lord, as spoken through the prophet Jeremiah; I dare not venture to war against the enemy.SS 239.2

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