{"id":71817,"date":"2020-03-16T17:06:53","date_gmt":"2020-03-16T15:06:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/?p=71817"},"modified":"2020-03-16T17:06:53","modified_gmt":"2020-03-16T15:06:53","slug":"lessons-from-jeremiahs-rescue","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.929.org.il\/en\/lessons-from-jeremiahs-rescue\/","title":{"rendered":"Lessons from Jeremiah\u2019s Rescue"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[281],"tags":[301],"acf":{"old_id":"71817","type":"no","iframe":"","writer":66417,"related_cahpter":"438","type_929":"2","show_author_image":false,"old_create_date":"","old_url":"","post_main_content":{"description":"Many of us know what it\u2019s like to be stuck in a pit\r\n\r\n","content":"

As our chapter opens, Jeremiah\u2019s precarious position in the prison goes from bad to worse. With the king\u2019s consent, Jeremiah is placed into a pit by his well-connected accusers who are tired of hearing his prophecies against Judah. He is lowered down into this pit by ropes and he sinks into the mud (verse 6). There is no water in this pit \u2013 if Jeremiah is not rescued, he will surely die there of dehydration.<\/span><\/p>\n

I often think about pits, particularly as we experience them today. Although most of us are not at risk of falling into (or being thrown into) physical pits, the metaphor of the pit still resonates. Those who experience severe depression, overwhelming grief, or hugely challenging life circumstances often have a very clear understanding of what it feels like to be stuck in a pit. The feelings of isolation, fear, and despair are profound.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Returning to our chapter, we see that Jeremiah does not die in the pit. One of the king\u2019s servants, Ebed-melech, intercedes on Jeremiah\u2019s behalf and gets permission to rescue him. Ebed-melech then goes down to the pit with 30 men. In a rather complicated process using worn clothes and rags, likely to protect Jeremiah\u2019s body from chafing, they pull Jeremiah up with ropes. Jeremiah is still in prison, but his death is no longer imminent.<\/span><\/p>\n

I would like to offer three reflections on Jeremiah\u2019s rescue, particularly as they relate to contemporary experiences of the pit:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

First, Jeremiah cannot rescue himself. He needs the help of others to get out of the pit.<\/span><\/p>\n

When those whom we love get stuck, we need to help them get unstuck, often when they cannot or do not know how to ask for help. When we get stuck and need help, we must also accept the help provided by others if we wish to survive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Second, Jeremiah is rescued by a large number of people. Ebed-melech does not attempt to pull Jeremiah out on his own, but instead goes to rescue him with 30 men.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It will never be just on one person who rescues another from a pit. Instead, it will take a community.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Third, Jeremiah\u2019s rescuers show care and sensitivity towards Jeremiah. With 30 men and ropes, they likely could have pulled Jeremiah out without needing to use worn clothes and rags to protect Jeremiah\u2019s body. However, they are not only concerned with getting Jeremiah out of the pit, but also with protecting him from further pain. They restore his dignity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We cannot be so focused on trying to get those we love out of their pits that we inadvertently hurt them in the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

The truth is that we all get stuck in pits sometimes, although some people\u2019s pits are surely more dangerous than others. Let us learn from these lessons of Jeremiah\u2019s rescue, giving and receiving wise help as we are able.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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