Jeremiah

Jeremiah 38: Fear of people cannot stop God

Begin in prayer

Before we read about a prophet sinking in the mire, and a king who feared his princes, let us come before the LORD in prayer. Ask Him to quiet our fears, to be with our family as we read, and to show us Jesus, who gives life to all who trust Him.

I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold. I have come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

Psalms 69:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You give life to those who hear Your voice, and help us not to fear people more than You. Show us Jesus, the giver of life, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Four princes hear Jeremiah say the city will fall, and they ask the king to put him to death (verses 1 to 4). King Zedekiah says Jeremiah is in their hands, so they lower him into a pit with no water, only mud (verses 5 and 6). Ebedmelech, an Ethiopian in the king’s house, hears of it and goes to the king at the gate of Benjamin (verses 7 and 8). The king sends Ebedmelech with thirty men to lift Jeremiah out, and they use cords and old rags (verses 10 to 13). In a private meeting, Jeremiah warns the king, and the king swears in secret to spare him (verses 14 to 16). Jeremiah says the king will live only if he goes out, but he fears those who went over to the Chaldeans (verses 17 to 19). Jeremiah stays in the court of the guard until Jerusalem is taken (verse 28).

As you read Jeremiah 38, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gives life to those who listen to His voice, and fear of men cannot stop Him.

Jeremiah told the people that staying in Jerusalem meant death, but going out to the Chaldeans meant life (verses 2 and 3). The princes asked for his death, and Zedekiah told them he could do nothing to oppose them (verses 4 and 5). The dungeon had no water, only deep mud, and Jeremiah sank in it (verse 6). Ebedmelech was a foreigner from Ethiopia who served in the king’s house, and he spoke up for the prophet (verses 7 to 9). The rags under his arms eased the cords, so the men could lift him out (verses 11 to 13). The LORD used a foreigner to save His prophet, which shows that He rescues His servants by whatever means He chooses. Zedekiah’s fear of the men who had gone over to the Chaldeans kept him from listening to the LORD (verses 19 and 20). Jesus is the true Giver of life, who lifts sinners out of the pit of sin, and God raised Him from the dead.

How does Jeremiah 38 show us that the LORD gives life to those who listen to His voice, and that fear of people cannot stop Him?

The LORD gives life to those who listen to His voice.

Jeremiah called the people to listen, and life was promised to those who went out (verses 2 and 3). Zedekiah heard the same word but did not listen, and that is the danger for every hearer (verses 19 and 20). Jesus gives eternal life to all who listen to Him and trust Him.

Fear of people cannot stop the LORD.

The princes wanted Jeremiah dead, and the king feared the men who had gone over to the enemy (verses 4 and 19). Yet the LORD rescued His prophet through a foreigner, and no fear of men could stop Him (verses 7 to 13). Jesus was also rejected by people, yet God raised Him from the dead, and no human plan could undo that victory.

The LORD uses unlikely helpers to rescue His servants.

Ebedmelech was a foreigner, and he spoke up and carried out the king’s order to lift Jeremiah out (verses 7 to 13). Jesus is the greater Rescuer. He came for sinners who could not climb out of the pit.

Memorize

Obey, I beg you, Yahweh’s voice, in that which I speak to you; so it will be well with you, and your soul shall live.

Jeremiah 38:20

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I fear people more than God, and have I come to Jesus for life?

Zedekiah was afraid of the men who had gone over to the enemy, so he would not listen to the LORD (verses 19 and 20). Many people are held back in the same way, afraid of what others think, and they put off coming to Jesus. Fear of people can keep us from the life the LORD offers.

Jeremiah sank deep in the mire and could not climb out by himself. Sin does the same to every sinner, and no one can lift himself out of it. Jesus is the greater Rescuer. He bore the punishment our sin deserved, rose from the dead on the third day, and lifts sinners out of the pit of sin. His work is finished, and it is enough for all who come to Him. Those who come to Him receive forgiveness.

So come to Jesus today. Turn from your sin, trust Him, and listen to His voice, because the LORD gives life to those who listen to Him. Do not let fear of people keep you away from the One who saves.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gives life to those who listen to His voice, and fear of people cannot stop Him. Parents, you may want to explain that Ebedmelech was a foreigner who spoke up for Jeremiah when the princes did not. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He gives life to those who listen to His voice, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Out of my distress, I called on Yah. Yah answered me with freedom.

Psalms 118:5

Lord, thank You that You lift sinners out of the pit, and that Jesus gives life to all who come to Him. Forgive us for fearing people more than You. Help us turn from sin, trust Jesus, and listen to Your voice this week. Amen.