QT 27/06/2025 Fri. Jeremiah 39. Three Endings, One Sovereign God 三个结局，一位至高无上的上帝。

QT 27/06/2025 Fri. Jeremiah 39. Three Endings, One Sovereign God
READ http://www.esv.org/jer39

In Jeremiah 39, we see different endings of King Zedekiah, Jeremiah, and Ebed-melech the Ethiopian. Their life stories teach us the importance of obedience, trust, and God's faithfulness.

Scripture Focus: Jeremiah 39:17–18
[17] But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. [18] For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the LORD.’” (ESV)

Devotional Reflection:
Jeremiah 39 records the fall of Jerusalem—one of the darkest moments in Israel’s history. But even amid judgment, God was working. Three individuals emerge in the narrative, each with a different ending:

🔥 1. King Zedekiah – The Cost of Fear and Disobedience
Zedekiah heard God's word through Jeremiah, yet chose to ignore it. He feared people more than he feared God (Jer. 38:19), and in the end, he lost everything—his freedom, his sight, and his sons (Jer. 39:6–7). His tragic end reminds us that compromise and delayed obedience are still disobedience.

Lesson 1: When we live to please people instead of obeying God, we forfeit the peace and protection found in submission to His will.

💡 2. Jeremiah – The Reward of Faithfulness
Jeremiah was hated, imprisoned, and nearly killed for speaking God’s truth. Yet he never backed down. And when the city fell, God preserved him. Even Nebuchadnezzar, the pagan king, ensured his safety (Jer. 39:11–14). What the world saw as weakness, God saw as faithful courage.

Lesson 2: Faithfulness to God doesn’t always lead to ease, but it always leads to God’s presence and protection, even in chaos.

🌿 3. Ebed-melech – The Unexpected Hero
Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian servant in the king’s house, defended Jeremiah when others stayed silent (Jer. 38:7–13). Though powerless by human standards, he acted in faith—and God noticed. While the city was being destroyed, God personally promised to protect him: "...because you have put your trust in Me." (Jer. 39:18)

Lesson 3: God honours those who act in courage and trust, no matter how small or unseen their role may seem.

✨ Takeaway: Whose Ending Will You Live Toward?

Zedekiah feared man and fell.

Jeremiah feared God and stood firm.

Ebed-melech trusted God and was rescued.

Your legacy won’t be finally written by your power, title, or influence—but by your response to God’s Word.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to live with the courage of Jeremiah and the trust of Ebed-melech. Guard me from the fear and compromise that blinded Zedekiah. Teach me to obey You even when it's hard, and to trust You even when I feel small. I believe that You see, You remember, and You reward those who walk in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.

QT 27/06/2025 星期五. 耶利米书 39 三个结局，一位至高无上的上帝
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/Jer/39/

在耶利米书第 39 章中，我们看到了西底家王、耶利米和埃塞俄比亚人以别米勒的不同结局。他们的人生故事告诉我们顺服、信任和神的信实的重要性。

经文重点： 耶利米书 39:17-18
[17] 但到了那日，我必拯救你；你必不至交在你所惧怕的人手里。’这是耶和华的宣告。18 ‘因为我必定搭救你；你必不会倒在刀下，必可以捡回自己的性命，因为你信靠我。’”这是耶和华的宣告。

灵修反思：
耶利米书 39 章记载了耶路撒冷的陷落--以色列历史上最黑暗的时刻之一。但即使在审判中，上帝也在做工。在这段叙述中出现了三个人，每个人都有不同的结局：

🔥 1. 西底家王--恐惧和不顺服的代价
西底家通过耶利米听到了神的话语，但他选择了忽视。他惧怕人胜过惧怕神（耶 38：19），最后，他失去了一切--自由、视力和儿子们（耶 39：6-7）。他的悲惨结局提醒我们，妥协和延迟顺服仍然是不顺服。

第一课： 当我们活着是为了取悦他人而不是顺服神时，我们就会失去顺服神的旨意所带来的平安和保护。

💡 2. 耶利米--信实的奖赏
耶利米因为说出上帝的真理而遭到憎恨、监禁，还差点被杀。但他从未退缩。当城市陷落时，上帝保守了他。甚至异教徒国王尼布甲尼撒也确保了他的安全（耶 39：11-14）。世人眼中的软弱，在上帝眼中却是忠实的勇气。

第二课： 对神的忠诚并不总能带来安逸，但它总能带来神的同在和保护，即使是在混乱中。

🌿 3. 以比得米勒--意想不到的英雄
以比得米勒是王家的一个埃塞俄比亚仆人，他在其他人保持沉默时为耶利米辩护（耶 38：7-13）。虽然按照人类的标准，他是无能为力的，但他凭着信心行事，而上帝也注意到了。当城被摧毁时，上帝亲自应许保护他： "......因为你信靠我。(耶利米书 39：18）

第三课： 上帝尊重那些有勇气和有信心的人，无论他们的作用看起来多么微小或不为人知。

✨灵修收获： 你将为谁而活？

西底家惧怕人，以致跌倒。
耶利米敬畏神，坚定不移。
以伯米勒信靠神，因此得救。

你的遗产（留下来给后人的人生榜样）不会由你的权力、头衔或影响力来书写而已，而是由你对神话语的回应来书写。

祷告：
主啊，求你帮助我以耶利米的勇气和以伯米勒的信任生活。保护我远离蒙蔽西底家的恐惧和妥协。教导我即使在困难时也要顺服您，即使在我感到渺小时也要信靠您。我相信您会看见，您会记得，您会奖赏那些在信心中前行的人。奉耶稣的名，阿门。