The Perfect Example Of God’s Sovereignty….

Jeremiah is the perfect example of God’s sovereignty. He was promised by God to be taken care of, as long as he continued to speak for God to His people. He endured hardships and beatings, imprisonments and persecution. But Jeremiah was taken care of, just like God had promised. This passage shows how intricately woven God’s plan can be, so much so, it leaves us scratching our heads. The Babylonians have captured Jerusalem. They have killed many and taken most back to Babylon as subjects and slaves. However, they had left a few Israelites in Judah and given them vineyards and land to take care of. Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian ruler tells his army leader to find Jeremiah, and take care of him. How in the world would the most powerful king in the known world, know anything about a small, no-name prophet like Jeremiah? And better yet, out of all that was going on, tell his lead officer to find him and give him anything he wants? That’s God’s sovereignty. That’s God honoring those who honor Him. And that gives us hope to carry on being obedient to our Lord. God rewards those who are faithful, it may not be with money or possessions, but it is with protection. If He can use a pagan, ruthless, king to honor and protect a insignificant (to him) prophet that no Israelite liked, just imagine what He can do for us? Pretty awesome, huh? God is sovereign, and today’s example is just another reminder how awesome God really is.

11 King Nebuchadnezzar had told Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, to find Jeremiah. 12 “See that he isn’t hurt,” he said. “Look after him well, and give him anything he wants.” 13 So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard; Nebushazban, a chief officer; Nergal-sharezer, the king’s adviser; and the other officers of Babylon’s king 14 sent messengers to bring Jeremiah out of the prison. They put him under the care of Gedaliah son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan, who took him back to his home. So Jeremiah stayed in Judah among his own people.15 The Lord had given the following message to Jeremiah while he was still in prison: 16 “Say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: I will do to this city everything I have threatened. I will send disaster, not prosperity. You will see its destruction, 17 but I will rescue you from those you fear so much. 18 Because you trusted Me, I will give you your life as a reward. I will rescue you and keep you safe. I, the Lord, have spoken!’ ” Jeremiah 39:11-18

1 The Lord gave a message to Jeremiah after Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound in chains among all the other captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being sent to exile in Babylon.2 The captain of the guard called for Jeremiah and said, “The Lord your God has brought this disaster on this land, 3 just as He said He would. For these people have sinned against the Lord and disobeyed Him. That is why it happened. 4 But I am going to take off your chains and let you go. If you want to come with me to Babylon, you are welcome. I will see that you are well cared for. But if you don’t want to come, you may stay here. The whole land is before you–go wherever you like. 5 If you decide to stay, then return to Gedaliah son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan. He has been appointed governor of Judah by the king of Babylon. Stay there with the people he rules. But it’s up to you; go wherever you like.”Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, gave Jeremiah some food and money and let him go. 6 So Jeremiah returned to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah, and he lived in Judah with the few who were still left in the land. Jeremiah 40:1-6