Background and Context:
Ebed-Melech, whose name means "servant of the king," is a significant figure in the Book of Jeremiah. He was an Ethiopian eunuch serving in the court of King Zedekiah of Judah during the final days before the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. Ebed-Melech is noted for his courageous intervention to save the prophet Jeremiah from death.

Biblical Account:
The account of Ebed-Melech's actions is found in Jeremiah 38:7-13. When Jeremiah was cast into a cistern by the officials of Judah, who were angered by his prophecies of Jerusalem's fall, Ebed-Melech took a bold step to rescue him. The cistern, which had no water but only mud, was a place where Jeremiah could have perished. Ebed-Melech approached King Zedekiah and pleaded for Jeremiah's life, saying, "My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have thrown him into a cistern, where he will starve to death when there is no more bread in the city" (Jeremiah 38:9).

Moved by Ebed-Melech's plea, King Zedekiah commanded that Jeremiah be lifted out of the cistern. Ebed-Melech took men with him and used old rags and worn-out clothes to pull Jeremiah out, demonstrating both his resourcefulness and compassion.

Divine Assurance and Release:
Ebed-Melech's faithfulness and courage did not go unnoticed by God. In Jeremiah 39:15-18, the Lord sent a message to Ebed-Melech through Jeremiah, assuring him of his safety during the impending destruction of Jerusalem. The Lord declared, "But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you will not be handed over to the men you fear. For I will surely deliver you so that you do not fall by the sword, and you will escape with your life, because you have trusted in Me, declares the LORD" (Jeremiah 39:17-18).

Significance:
Ebed-Melech's account is a powerful testament to the impact of individual courage and faith. Despite being a foreigner and a eunuch, he acted with integrity and compassion, risking his own safety to save Jeremiah. His actions exemplify the biblical principle that God honors those who act justly and trust in Him, regardless of their social or ethnic status.

Ebed-Melech's release and divine protection highlight the theme of God's faithfulness to those who are faithful to Him. His account serves as an encouragement to believers to stand up for righteousness and to trust in God's deliverance, even in the face of overwhelming odds.