Jeremiah 38:6
Then 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.
The pit was Malchiah's dungeon or cistern in the court of the prison, and officials let Jeremiah down into it with cords or ropes into a dark, dismal, loathsome place where there was no water but mire or mud, so that he sank into it. The princes and nobles were enraged because he persisted in prophesying calamity, and they charged that he was an enemy to the nation who weakened the hands of the people and brought misfortune upon them, demanding his death. Zedekiah handed him over to their pleasure even though he knew the charges were false, from cowardice and fear of the disapproval of influential men, pretending to believe them.
The cause was his plain testimony in speaking the words and message God gave him to speak and his faithful integrity in obeying the word of the Lord, which enraged the king and princes, yet he could not be stopped or deterred from speaking. He stands as one of God's appointed witnesses in all ages who expose themselves to reproach and persecution for the truth's sake, and as an example of a faithful witness suffering persecution for the truth. God raised up friends who pleaded with the king for him, so he was taken out again and kept in the court of the prison, and though he suffered unjustly God arranged for him to be brought out and his cause later found favor with princes.
His unjust imprisonment and suffering did not mean God had forgotten or forsaken him, for the Lord did not forget him in the dark pit. Close connection with God does not bring prosperity in this life but sore trial and affliction, and God leads His children through such trial to perfect trust, for in the world there is tribulation but in Christ there is peace and it is through much tribulation that entrance is gained into the kingdom of God. His steadfastness in the might of divine power witnesses to the world of the faithfulness of God's promises, His abiding presence and sustaining grace, proving that faith can calmly rest in God in the darkest hour and look beyond time and sense to eternal riches. Though unknown and unacknowledged by the world he stands among the heroes of faith enrolled as citizens in heaven, with promise of an inheritance of greater value than earthly riches that satisfies the soul and an enduring eternal weight of glory.
Dungeon walls cannot cut off God's people from Christ, for even in lonely cells they may receive heavenly light and peace. Christ sees every weakness, knows every trial, and is above all earthly powers, and angels will come to them in lonely cells bringing light and peace from heaven, so that the prison becomes as a palace for the rich in faith and gloomy walls are lighted up with heavenly light. This proves He will not forget His people in the trying hour when enemies thrust them into prison and they are bound in chains, shut in by prison bars, sentenced to be slain, and apparently left to die of starvation in dark and loathsome dungeons with no human ear to hear and no human hand to help. The same spirit that put him in the dungeon still works today against those who deliver God's faithful reproof, so God's chosen servants who faithfully discharge the duty God gives them must expect just such opposition and meet whatever trials and sufferings come through reproach, neglect, or misrepresentation with courage and patience, remembering that the prophets of old and the Saviour of the world also endured abuse and persecution for the word's sake.