to obtain mercy of man, be unfaithful to God or to his prince; he tells the king the whole truth.
When Jeremiah delivered God's message, he spake with boldness; but when he made his own
request, he spake submissively. A lion in God's cause must be a lamb in his own. And God gave
Jeremiah favour in the eyes of the king. The Lord God can make even the cells of a prison become
pastures to his people, and will raise up friends to provide for them, so that in the days of famine
they shall be satisfied.
Chapter 38
Jeremiah is cast into a dungeon, from whence he is delivered by an Ethiopian. (Jer. 38:1-13)
He advises the king to surrender to the Chaldeans. (Jer. 38:14-28)
Jer. 38:1-13 Jeremiah went on in his plain preaching. The princes went on in their malice. It
is common for wicked people to look upon God's faithful ministers as enemies, because they show
what enemies the wicked are to themselves while impenitent. Jeremiah was put into a dungeon.
Many of God's faithful witnesses have been privately made away in prisons. Ebed-melech was an
Ethiopian; yet he spoke to the king faithfully, These men have done ill in all they have done to
Jeremiah. See how God can raise up friends for his people in distress. Orders were given for the
prophet's release, and Ebed-melech saw him drawn up. Let this encourage us to appear boldly for
God. Special notice is taken of his tenderness for Jeremiah. What do we behold in the different
characters then, but the same we behold in the different characters now, that the Lord's children
are conformed to his example, and the children of Satan to their master?
Jer. 38:14-28 Jeremiah was not forward to repeat the warnings, which seemed only to endanger
his own life, and to add to the king's guilt, but asked whether he feared to do the will of God. The
less men fear God, the more they fear men; often they dare not act according to their own judgments
and consciences.
Chapter 39
The taking of Jerusalem. (Jer. 39:1-10) Jeremiah used well. (Jer. 39:11-14) Promises of safety
to Ebed-melech. (Jer. 39:15-18)
Jer. 39:1-10 Jerusalem was so strong, that the inhabitants believed the enemy could never enter
it. But sin provoked God to withdraw his protection, and then it was as weak as other cities. Zedekiah
had his eyes put out; so he was condemned to darkness who had shut his eyes against the clear light
of God's word. Those who will not believe God's words, will be convinced by the event. Observe
the wonderful changes of Providence, how uncertain are earthly possessions; and see the just