The Story of Jeremiah Thrown into a Well

Once upon a time, in a land filled with kings and prophets, there lived a man named Jeremiah. Jeremiah was chosen by God to be a prophet, which meant that he had a very special job – he was to speak God's words to the people.

Jeremiah's life was not easy because he lived in tough times. The kingdom of Judah had turned away from God, worshiping idols and forgetting the commandments that God had given them. It was Jeremiah's job to warn the people to mend their ways and return to God. But, as we will see in the "story of Jeremiah Thrown into a Well," being a messenger of truth can be both dangerous and challenging.

Jeremiah's Unwanted Prophecy

Our story takes an interesting turn as Jeremiah does what God asks of him. He goes to the people of Judah and tells them a very hard truth. The Babylonians were coming, and Jerusalem would be conquered. This was not a popular message, and the people, including the king, did not want to believe such a terrible thing.

Jeremiah was undeterred. He knew he had to tell the truth, no matter how much people didn't want to hear it. "Mend your ways and your deeds," he would say. (Jeremiah 7:3) But the people of Judah were stubborn and continued in their ways.

King Zedekiah's Dilemma

The king of Judah at this time, Zedekiah, was in a tough spot. He didn't know whether to believe Jeremiah or not. The prince and other officials were also getting worried because Jeremiah's words were making the soldiers scared. They thought Jeremiah should be stopped because he was bad for the morale of those who would have to defend the city.

Jeremiah's Arrest and Accusations

It wasn’t long before Jeremiah was arrested by these officials. They accused him of being a traitor and claimed that he wasn't trying to help the people but hurt them. Jeremiah was telling people to surrender to the Babylonians, and to the king's officials, this was as good as treason.

Jeremiah Thrown into the Well

One official, named Shephatiah, wanted Jeremiah gone for good. They didn't listen to Jeremiah's messages from God. Instead, they threw Jeremiah into a muddy well. It was in the courtyard of the guard, a cistern that had no water, only thick, sticky mud, and Jeremiah sank into it.

Imagine how Jeremiah must have felt, wet, cold, and stuck in the darkness, all because he had spoken the truth. He must have been very scared, hungry, and alone down there. But Jeremiah was not a man who would give up on God, even in the murkiest of situations.

An Unlikely Hero

Jeremiah might have been forgotten in that well if it weren’t for an unlikely hero. His name was Ebed-Melech, an Ethiopian, an official in the king’s house. Ebed-Melech was a brave and good man. When he heard what they had done to Jeremiah, he went straight to the king.

“Your Majesty,” he said boldly to King Zedekiah, "what has been done to Jeremiah is wrong. He is going to die down there in the cistern from hunger, because there is no more bread in the city." (Jeremiah 38:9)

King Zedekiah's Change of Heart

To Ebed-Melech's surprise, the king ordered him to take thirty men and lift Jeremiah out of the cistern before he died. The king seemed to have realized that what they had done to Jeremiah was cruel and that perhaps Jeremiah was telling the truth after all.

The Rescue Mission

So, the brave Ebed-Melech took the men and went to the royal wardrobe. They took some old, torn rags and let them down with ropes into the well. "Put the rags under your arms to protect you from the ropes," shouted Ebed-Melech to Jeremiah.

Carefully, Jeremiah did as he was told, and the men pulled him up. Can you imagine how relieved he must have been to see the daylight again, to be freed from the cold and the muck? Jeremiah was safe, at least for now. Because of one man's courage, Jeremiah was rescued from what could have been a certain death.

Jeremiah Continues His Mission

Fresh out of the well, Jeremiah didn't stop speaking God's messages. He continued to warn the people but also assured Ebed-Melech that he would be kept safe as the city fell. Jeremiah had been through a terrible ordeal, but his faith and commitment to God were unshakeable.

Key Takeaways

• Standing up for the truth may not always be popular, but it is right.
• Sometimes, doing the right thing can lead to difficult situations.
• There are heroes among us, often in the least expected places.
• God takes care of those who are faithful to Him, even in the darkest of times.
• It is important to listen to what God is saying to us, even if it's something we might not want to hear.

Fun Activity!

Draw and Color:
Draw a picture of the scene where Jeremiah is being rescued by Ebed-Melech and the thirty men. Use your imagination to add colors to the old rags, the well, and the people involved. Remember, even in tough situations, there is always hope—so make your drawing bright and hopeful!

FAQs on The Story of Jeremiah Thrown into a Well

Q: Who was Jeremiah?
A: Jeremiah was a prophet chosen by God to convey messages to the people of Judah. He is known for his courage and dedication to speaking the truth.

Q: Why was Jeremiah thrown into the well?
A: Jeremiah was thrown into the well because he was telling the people and the rulers of Judah about the impending destruction of Jerusalem, which they didn't want to hear.

Q: Who rescued Jeremiah from the well?
A: Jeremiah was rescued by an Ethiopian official named Ebed-Melech, who persuaded King Zedekiah to save him before he starved to death.

Q: Did Jeremiah continue to be a prophet after being rescued?
A: Yes, Jeremiah continued to share God's message with the people, despite the hardship he faced for doing so.

Q: What lessons can we learn from the story of Jeremiah?
A: We learn the importance of standing up for what is right, being brave in the face of adversity, and trusting that God is with us even when situations seem hopeless.

Q: Was Ebed-Melech rewarded for his bravery?
A: Yes, the Bible tells us that God promised to keep Ebed-Melech safe as a reward for his faith and courage.

And remember, brave boys and girls, you can learn from Jeremiah and Ebed-Melech that no matter how scary things may seem, having courage and faith can bring light into the darkest of places. Keep shining like the stars you are!

Now, here are some relevant internal links that you might find interesting:

• Facing Fears with Faith: The Story of Daniel in the Lion's Den
• Heroes of Faith: The Stories of Ruth and Esther
• The Journey Through the Bible: From Creation to Revelation

We hope you enjoyed the "story of Jeremiah Thrown into a Well," and always remember, God is with you, just like He was with Jeremiah!