“Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon. When the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, 8 Ebed-Melech went out of the king’s house and spoke to the king, saying: 9 “My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon, and he is likely to die from hunger in the place where he is. For there is no more bread in the city.” 10 Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take from here thirty men with you, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon before he dies.” 11 So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took from there old clothes and old rags, and let them down by ropes into the dungeon to Jeremiah. 12 Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.” And Jeremiah did so. 13 So they pulled Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the dungeon. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.” Jeremiah 38:7-13 NKJV
Lord of kindness,
Ebed-Melech was not just thoughtful in asking for Jeremiah to be lifted from the cistern dungeon he was also risking his own position. I love that this incident is recorded in the narration its so personal. It was a kindness worth recording. They could have just put ropes down and hoisted Jeremiah up – but he was weak and thin. He could have got rope burns, dislocated his shoulders . . .
But Eded-Melech had not just thought about doing the right thing he had thought about how to do it. Thoughtfulness. Kindness. He did it the best way possible for Jeremiah. Sometimes we rush in to do good and forget the feelings and situation of those we are trying to help. Sometimes we need to think first. Be thoughtful and ask ourselves if this is the kindest way?
Sometimes it means doing something incognito. The men who fetched the rags are unnamed but essential. We need to remember that we do it for You and You know the best way if we ask. Jumble, old clothes served You on this occasion. The men pull him gently and easily up and ensured no-tried to stop them. We know no more about Ebed-Melech except that he was worthy of remembrance to You, in Your Word, Father. One kind deed noted for all eternity.Help us leave a trail of kind deeds.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 26th August 2025
Another new song to me written in 2022.
We’ve built our stained-glass castles
Reaching to the sky
At our best to show Your glory
At our worst to show our pride
We’ve raised our hands in worship
And our fist to stake our claim
We’ve done so much good and so much harm
All in Your great name
But when I think about what has
The power to change the world
It could all be said with just one word
Kindness
And what if we lived with a heart of kindness?
What if we loved like we’ve been loved?
If that’s all that we’re remembered for
Well, lеt that be enough
So when thеy stand and tell the stories
Of who we are and what we’ve done
Of a thousand things that we could leave behind us
If they say just one word, well, let that word be kindness
Let our hearts be quick to listen
And our lips be slow to speak
Let us wrap ourselves in mercy
Compassion and humility
We’re reaching past the lines
That words like us and them have drawn (Us and them have drawn)
Knowing we’ll find common ground
Together at the cross
Chorus
Kindness
I can forgive because I’ve been forgiven
And I can show mercy
‘Cause it’s mercy I’ve received
It’s the kindness of my Father
That brought me back to life
And it’s His kindness that still brings me to my knees
I wanna live with a heart of kindness
I wanna love like I’ve been loved
If that’s all that I’m remembered for
Well, let that be enough
And I wanna stand and tell the story
Of who You are and what You’ve done
How Your amazing love would bring You here to find us
To rescue and redeem us in Your kindness
Let my life be a reflection of Your kindness
Change the world with kindness . . . .
Lyrics: Steve Curtis Chapman