Cast Clouts And Rotten Rags(jer. 38:1-13)

by Toms, A. F. | Category: General | Jan 1977

The details of God's word are intriguing. Jeremiah was in the dungeon, and that was more than godly Ebed-melech could bear. That God's prophet should be suffering in that way was unthinkable (to him) and, having obtained the king's permission, he set off with thirty men to rescue him. Strong cords were found, also old cast clouts and old rotten rags. These Ebed-melech lowered into the dungeon and at the same time shouted down his instructions to Jeremiah. He was to put the clouts and rags under his armholes under the cords and thus his deliverance from the dungeon would be so much more comfortable.

Old cast clouts and old rotten rags! They were of no value in themselves, but Jeremiah would thank God for them that day. He had sunk in the mire, the divine record says, and very likely his liberators would have needed to pull hard to loose him from it. It would have been a much more painful operation had it not been for Ebed-melech's thoughtful provision.

Old cast clouts and old rotten rags! Does it seem strange that God should go into such detail in His Word? Not at all, for our God is the God of careful detail, as is evidenced in His work in creation. It was kind of this Ethiopian to espouse Jeremiah's cause at all, but the way in which he did it provided that little extra which meant so much to the prophet's comfort.

"Be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted" is the divine instruction to our hearts, and the way in which we obey may well make all the difference. There are little things we can do for one another's help that cost no more than the thought involved, but how much they mean to the brother or sister in need.

Old cast clouts and rotten rags. Surely God does not record this detail without a reason. There must be a lesson He wants us to learn. Is it not going the second mile about which our Master spoke? And might not such kindnesses be extended beyond our own brethren and sisters? That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness" says the marginal reading of Proverbs 19:22, and maybe we shall prepare the way for the sowing of the gospel seed by the little acts of kindness which go before. They cost so little but they mean so much.

Toms, A. F. | Jan 1977
General