Topical Encyclopedia Ethiopia, known in biblical times as Cush, is a region frequently mentioned in the Scriptures. It is located south of Egypt and is often associated with the descendants of Cush, the son of Ham (Genesis 10:6). The biblical narrative highlights various interactions between Ethiopia and the people of Israel, one of which involves the prophet Jeremiah.In the Book of Jeremiah, during the tumultuous period leading up to the Babylonian exile, the prophet Jeremiah faced significant opposition and persecution for his messages of impending judgment against Judah. Despite the hostility from his own people, Jeremiah found an unexpected ally in an Ethiopian eunuch named Ebed-Melech. Ebed-Melech, whose name means "servant of the king," was a servant in the court of King Zedekiah of Judah. When Jeremiah was cast into a cistern and left to die by those who opposed his prophecies, Ebed-Melech intervened. Moved by compassion and a sense of justice, he approached King Zedekiah and pleaded for Jeremiah's life. The king granted his request, and Ebed-Melech, with the help of thirty men, rescued Jeremiah from the cistern (Jeremiah 38:7-13). The actions of Ebed-Melech are significant for several reasons. First, they demonstrate the providence of God in protecting His prophet through the kindness of a foreigner. Ebed-Melech's intervention is a testament to the universal reach of God's justice and mercy, transcending national and ethnic boundaries. His courage and righteousness are highlighted in the narrative, showing that God's servants can come from unexpected places. Moreover, Ebed-Melech's faithfulness did not go unnoticed by God. In Jeremiah 39:15-18, the Lord speaks to Jeremiah, assuring him that Ebed-Melech will be spared during the fall of Jerusalem. The Lord declares, "I will surely rescue you, because you have trusted in Me, declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 39:18). This divine promise underscores the biblical principle that God honors those who act justly and place their trust in Him. The account of Ebed-Melech and Jeremiah serves as a powerful reminder of the role that individuals from diverse backgrounds can play in God's redemptive history. It also highlights the theme of divine protection and deliverance for those who remain faithful to God's calling, even in the face of adversity. Through the kindness of an Ethiopian, Jeremiah's life was preserved, allowing him to continue his prophetic ministry during one of the most critical periods in Israel's history. Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 38:7-13Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; Nave's Topical Index Jeremiah 39:15-18 Library The Iranian Conquest Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus. Resources What does selah mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs the Rastafarian / Rasta god “Jah” the same as the Christian God? | GotQuestions.org What is glossolalia? | GotQuestions.org Ethiopia: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Ethiopia was Called the Land of Cush, Mentioned In Ethiopia: A Eunuch From, Becomes a Disciple Beause of the Preaching of Philip Ethiopia: Bordered Egypt on the South Ethiopia: Moses Marries a Woman of Ethiopia: Prophecies Concerning the Conversion of Ethiopia: The Inhabitants of, Black Ethiopia: Treats Jeremiah Kindly Ethiopia: Within the Babylonian Empire Related Terms |
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