Faith's reward.
I. IN BEING ACKNOWLEDGED.
1. The character of its work recognized. Jeremiah is to speak in the Name of "the God of Israel," as if to say that henceforth Ebed-Melech is to be regarded as a true Israelite, having his destiny bound up with God's people. That which he did is attributed to no merely passing compassion, but to faith: "Thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord." So God perceives the secret motives of actions.
2. In being further and specially exercised. Definite direction is given to the attention of Ebed-Melech, and he is encouraged to look forward to the fulfilment of the words spoken by Jeremiah. As a further confirmation of his share in the Divine events about to take place, he is assured of personal safety—an assurance as yet only a matter of faith and not of sight. One of the surest proofs of true faith being acknowledged by God, is its being thus tested and exercised. Men without faith may be let alone; but the believer, oven if his faith be as a grain of mustard seed, will be taken hold of by the providence and grace of God, and led "from faith to faith." Those who trust in him he will reward with his confidence and the custody of his mysteries. "Lord, increase our faith."
II. IN BEING VERIFIED.
1. The believer will see the fulfilment of what he has believed. He will be honoured by being made a witness of the truth of God. The moral tendencies and spiritual consummations that make up the kingdom of God in the world, will be revealed. Experience will illustrate and confirm faith, and faith will interpret experience and render it spiritually profitable.
2. He himself' will be saved from the destiny of the wicked. This is "the physical and palpable reward of faith;" but it is also one which may open up the way to future spiritual blessedness. Ebed-Melech is obviously spared, not only from the suffering of the exile, but from the degrading influences of it, and the rejection from covenant blessings it, in so many instances, involved. Those who "receive a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward."—M.
HOMILIES BY S. CONWAY