In the darkest page of history there is a gleam of sunshine, and in the chapters before us we have a bright illustration of the Gospel.
1. As the princes got Jeremiah put into the miry pit, so sin has placed us in the pit of iniquity and unbelief (Psa 40:2).
2. As Ebed-melech sought to rescue Jeremiah from the pit, and to save him from the death of starvation (Jer 38:7-9), so Christ has died and acted for us, to deliver us from the wrath to come (1Th 1:10).
3. As Ebed-melech acted according to the word of the king, so Christ has acted according to the word of God (Jhn 17:4).
4. As Ebed-melech provided means to rescue Jeremiah (Jer 38:11), so the Lord has decreed that those who are saved shall bear His message of salvation to others (Jhn 20:21).
5. As Jeremiah was saved from the miry pit by acting according to the instructions that were given to him (Jer 38:12), so we are saved by doing as the Lord directs (Jhn 5:24).
6. As Jeremiah was assured by the king that he should not be put to death (Jer 38:16), so the Lord assures us that we shall never perish (Jhn 10:28-29).
7. As Ebed-melech was rewarded because of his trust in the Lord (Jer 39:16-18), so all those who trust in Christ are rewarded with all spiritual blessings in Him (Eph 1:3).