Vers. 11, 12. — A prophet hefriended by a heathen Mng, Bumoun of Jatemiah's efforts to induce the Jevys to submit to the Babylonian power must have reached the ears of Nebuchadnezzar, and have led him to regard the prophet with favour. If his fellow- countrymen considered Jeremiah to be a traitor, it was natural tliat the Chaldeans should think he vras on their side. Both parties were ignorant of the motives and aims of the prophet, which were as patriotic as they were prudent. But, though perhaps from an undue opinion of his friendliness to them, the invaders did a real service to Jeremiah, and that was good on its own accoimt.
I. QOD BBINOB DELIVEBANCB TO HIS OBILOBBN IN THEIB OBEATEST DANQXB. Jere- miah was a prisoner. Jerusalem was given over to the rapine of a lawless soldiery. Then came the prophet's escape.
II. God can use the most unlieelt means as instbumentb or bis sbaok. He does use means, delivering through the action of men overruled by his providence. Such is his wise and mighty control that fierce despots may he his angels and ministers of grace.
ill. The scouBas of judgment fob the wicked mat be the abm of dxuveb- anob to God's people. Nebuchadnezzar was the fearful foe whose approach had been foreshadowed as the advent of doom and ruin to the guilty city of Jerusalem. This man was the friend and deliverer of Jeremiah. So the awful judgment at the end of the world wiU be, to the Christian, the occasion of the " salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." The greatest evils in the world are overruled to work the good of God's children.
IV. A heathen mat be an example of humaneness to men who pbofebb the uiqhest BELiaioN. There is no cruelty so bitter as that of persons who call themselves enlightened and religious. This is the most refined and heartless cruelty. Corruptit >pliini pesaima. On the other hand, with all that U brutal and lawless, there may hi a
14* THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET JEREMIAH, [oh. xzxix. 1— 14
genmne unsophisticated kindliness among men who are in great moral and religiouf darkness. Let us thank God that he has not left himself mthout a witness in the con- science even of a Kebuchadnezzar.
V. If a heathen king's favour is valuaislb, how shall wb bstimati the BLESSEDNESS OF THE FAVODB OF THE DiviNE KiNO? If Jeremiah profited by the patronage of Nebucliadnezzar, what shall the grace of Christ be to us ? It the prophet found release and comfort at the approach of the Babylonian monarch, what greater good is in store for those who shall " beliuld the King in his beauty "? Jeremiah was protected by Nebuchadnezzar, but he did not put his trust in the human monarch. The one safe trust is in the one true Prince and Saviour.
Vers. 15 — 18. — Spared on the ground o/faith. I. The man. 1. He is an Ethiopian. " God is no respecter of persons." This man, with his heathen nationality, his negro countenance, and his humiliated state, is selected for deliverance in the general destruc- tion, because in him is found the right spiritual condition, whilst men with the pure blood of Abraham in their veins perish. We have not to wait for St. Paul to teach us the breadth of God's grace and the spirituality of its requirements. 2. He is a court servant. Thure were Christians in Csesar's household. A king's favour is no substitute for the grace of God. Elied-Melech felt that he needed more than the protection of the royal guard, even when all was fair in the outside world. 3. He stands aione. He is alone in his faith. So much the more real and vital must his faith be. He is alone in his reward. A special message and a special promise are accorded to this man. God does not overlook any solitary servant of his. AU religion is individual — individual faith, individual grace.
IL The faith. Ebed-Melech had befriended Jeremiah. Tet it is remarkable that this fact is not mentioned here. His act of kindliness by itself would not have been enough to have secured him a Divine promise of special safety. But the act evinced faith. It is implied that Ebed-Meleoh befriended Jeremiah because he had faith in God, and therefore acknowledged the Divine message of the prophet and accepted the truth of it. We are saved on account of our faith. Faith must show itself in deeds or it is dead and worthless. But the personal trust in God and in Christ is the sole and universal condition through wliioh God's mercy is bestowed.
III. The bewabd. Ebed-Melech is to be spared in the general wreck of the Jewish state. His presence in the scene of destruction will enhance his sense of the providential character of his escape. We must all revolt from the heartless doctrine of Thomas Aquinas, that one of the elements of the joy of the redeemed in heaven will be the con- templation of the agonies of the lost. Nevertheless, to have escaped from a terrible fate that has been brought very near to us is a source of greater joy than never to have known danger. This is the Christian's condition. He can have only pain in witnessing the suffering of others. But he has large ground for thankfulness when he sees how uear he was to ruin, and how Gh>d has plucked him as a brand from the buining.
HOMILIES BY VARIOUS AUTHORS.
Vers. 9, 10. — The poor better off than the rich. L In what bensb thkt webb so. 1. They were spared because of their insignificance. 2. Pitied because of their helpless- ness and privations, 3. Their condition could hai'dlj/ be altered otherwise than for the brtter.
II. Of what these webb the type. 1. They represent the meek who inherit the t arth, and the poor in spirit whose is the kingdom of heaven. Christ the Conqueror will enrich them. 2. Their fortune represented the law of reversal in the kingdom of Ood. The first shall be last, and the last first ; but not universally. " Many that are first," etc. Christ's servants will be most numerous amongst the poor and the despised. They will be recognized and honoured by him, when others are put to shame. But it will not be their poverty, but tlie virtues of their poverty, which shall be rewaided. They who know themselves poor will receive all things at bis hands (cf. Rev. iiu 17, 18). — ^M.
W»T% 11 — 14.— (ot oh. iX. I — 6). — Qod^s servant delivered fnm tht Judgment ^
oa. xsxa. 1— 18.j THE BOOK OP THE PROPHET JEREMIAa 149
travsgresBort. The whole proceedings in connection with Jeremiah's deliverance are striking and noteworthy. It is a heathen prince to whose care and respect he owes his liberation, when his own people have treated him so cruelly. Very evident is the hand of God " disposing the hearts of princes," and making " sU things work together for good to tliem that love him."