Jeremiah in the Cistern
For speaking God's truth during the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah is thrown into a muddy cistern to die. An Ethiopian official bravely rescues him.
Jeremiah 38:1-13
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The Story
Jeremiah had been prophesying for decades, warning Judah that judgment was coming because of their sins. Now Babylon's army surrounded Jerusalem, and Jeremiah continued to speak God's message: 'Whoever stays in this city will die by the sword, famine, or plague. But whoever goes out and surrenders to the Babylonians will live.'
The officials came to King Zedekiah. 'This man should be put to death! He is discouraging the soldiers who are left in this city, as well as all the people. This man is not seeking the good of these people but their ruin.'
King Zedekiah was weak and feared these powerful men. 'He is in your hands,' the king said. 'The king can do nothing to oppose you.'
So they took Jeremiah and lowered him by ropes into the cistern of Malkijah, the king's son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. There was no water in the cistern—only mud—and Jeremiah sank down into the mud. They left him there to die.
But Ebed-Melech, a Cushite official in the royal palace, heard what they had done to Jeremiah. He went to the king, who was sitting in the Benjamin Gate. '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.'
The king commanded Ebed-Melech, 'Take thirty men from here with you and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.'
Ebed-Melech took the men and went to the palace to get old rags and worn-out clothes. He lowered them by ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern. He told Jeremiah, 'Put these old rags and worn-out clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.' Jeremiah did so.
They pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard, continuing his ministry until Jerusalem fell to Babylon.
Ebed-Melech's courage saved a prophet's life. Later, God sent a special message through Jeremiah promising that Ebed-Melech would survive Jerusalem's fall because he trusted in the Lord.
Jeremiah Rescued from the Mud
Kids Version
Jeremiah was a prophet with a very hard job. God told him to warn the people of Jerusalem that their city would be captured because they had disobeyed God. Nobody wanted to hear this! The soldiers fighting to protect Jerusalem especially didn't like it.
Some angry leaders went to the king. 'Jeremiah is making our soldiers give up! He keeps saying we'll lose! He should be killed!'
King Zedekiah was afraid of these powerful men. 'Fine,' he said. 'Do what you want.'
The men grabbed Jeremiah and took him to a deep pit called a cistern. It was used to collect rainwater, but now it just had thick, sticky mud at the bottom. They lowered Jeremiah down with ropes and left him there!
Poor Jeremiah! He sank into the cold, gooey mud. There was no water, no food, and no way to climb out. He was left there to die.
But someone heard what happened. His name was Ebed-Melech, and he was from a country called Cush, far away in Africa. He worked in the king's palace, and he was BRAVE.
Ebed-Melech went straight to the king. 'Those men did a wicked thing! Jeremiah will starve to death in that pit!'
The king listened to Ebed-Melech. 'Take thirty men and pull Jeremiah out before he dies!'
Ebed-Melech was smart and kind. He found old rags and worn-out clothes. He lowered them down to Jeremiah and said, 'Put these under your arms so the ropes won't hurt you!'
Then they pulled Jeremiah up, up, up out of the mud!
Jeremiah was saved! He kept speaking God's message until the city fell, just as God said it would. And God blessed Ebed-Melech for his courage. When Jerusalem was destroyed, Ebed-Melech was kept safe because he trusted in God.
Sometimes doing the right thing takes courage. Ebed-Melech wasn't afraid to help God's prophet, and God rewarded his bravery!
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Characters in This Story
Settings & Locations
Scripture — Jeremiah 38:1-13 (KJV)
1Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,
2Thus saith the LORD, He that remaineth in this city shall die by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence: but he that goeth forth to the Chaldeans shall live; for he shall have his life for a prey, and shall live .
3Thus saith the LORD, This city shall surely be given into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which shall take it.
4Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt. welfare: Heb. peace
5Then Zedekiah the king said, Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you.
6Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire. of Hammelech: or, of the king
7Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin;
8Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying,
9My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for there is no more bread in the city. he is like: Heb. he will die
10Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Take from hence thirty men with thee, and take up Jeremiah the prophet out of the dungeon, before he die. with thee: Heb. in thine hand
11So Ebedmelech took the men with him, and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took thence old cast clouts and old rotten rags, and let them down by cords into the dungeon to Jeremiah.
12And Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said unto Jeremiah, Put now these old cast clouts and rotten rags under thine armholes under the cords. And Jeremiah did so.
13So they drew up Jeremiah with cords, and took him up out of the dungeon: and Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.
Memory Verse
“Then Shephatiah the son of Mattan, and Gedaliah the son of Pashur, and Jucal the son of Shelemiah, and Pashur the son of Malchiah, heard the words that Jeremiah had spoken unto all the people, saying,”
— Jeremiah 38:1 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jeremiah in the Cistern” in the Bible?
For speaking God's truth during the siege of Jerusalem, Jeremiah is thrown into a muddy cistern to die. An Ethiopian official bravely rescues him. This story is found in Jeremiah 38:1-13.
Where is “Jeremiah in the Cistern” found in the Bible?
“Jeremiah in the Cistern” is found in Jeremiah 38:1-13, in the book of Jeremiah.
What can children learn from “Jeremiah in the Cistern”?
This story teaches children about Persecution, Courage, Faithfulness, Rescue. Jeremiah told people God's message, but they didn't like what he said. Angry leaders threw him into a deep muddy pit to die. But a brave man named Ebed-Melech rescued him!