Jeremiah 36: The Enduring Power of God's Word
And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.
And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the Lord:
Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the Lord in the ears of the people in the Lord’s house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.
It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath pronounced against this people.
And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the Lord in the Lord’s house.
And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the Lord to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.
Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the Lord, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the Lord’s house, in the ears of all the people.
When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the Lord,
Then he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.
Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.
Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.
And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.
Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.
And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.
Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.
And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.
So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe’s chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.
Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.
And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.
Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.
But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the Lord hid them.
Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.
And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.
Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.
Jeremiah 36 recounts a pivotal moment in the prophet's ministry, showcasing both the rebellious heart of Judah's leadership and the unwavering power of God's word. This chapter transitions Jeremiah from primarily an oral prophet to one who documents his prophecies in writing, emphasizing the lasting impact of God's message. It serves as a potent reminder that even in the face of rejection and destruction, God's purposes will ultimately prevail.
From Speaking to Writing (Jeremiah 36:1-3)
Initially, Jeremiah served as a speaking prophet, delivering God's messages directly to the people. However, Jeremiah 36:1-3 marks a turning point. God commands Jeremiah to record all his prophecies from the reign of Josiah until that present day. This transition to a writing ministry was significant. By documenting these prophecies, Jeremiah ensured their preservation and wider dissemination. The purpose was clear: to give the leaders and people of Judah an opportunity to repent, receive forgiveness, and avert the impending judgment. It was a final plea for them to turn back to the Lord. This demonstrates God's patience and his desire for reconciliation with his people, even as judgment loomed.
Baruch's Faithful Service and Jeremiah's Confinement (Jeremiah 36:4-8)
Jeremiah dictated the prophecies, and Baruch, his secretary, faithfully recorded them (Jeremiah 36:4). Baruch's role highlights the importance of those who support and enable the prophetic voice. However, Jeremiah was restricted from entering the temple (Jeremiah 36:5). This exclusion is a stark reminder that even the most faithful servants of God can face opposition and limitations. Imagine the frustration of being barred from the very place where God's message needed to be heard! Undeterred, Jeremiah instructs Baruch to read the scroll to the people at the temple and to those coming from the Judean cities (Jeremiah 36:6). This act of obedience demonstrates a commitment to spreading God's word, even when facing obstacles.
The Scroll is Read and the Officials Take Heed (Jeremiah 36:9-20)
In the fifth year of Jehoiakim's reign, Baruch reads the scroll in the temple (Jeremiah 36:9-10). Among those listening is Micaiah, who reports what he heard to a group of officials. These officials, recognizing the gravity of the message, invite Baruch to read it to them personally (Jeremiah 36:10-15). Upon hearing God's words of judgment, the officials are filled with fear. They understand the dire consequences facing Jerusalem and recognize the need to inform the king (Jeremiah 36:16). However, knowing Jehoiakim's likely reaction, they advise Jeremiah and Baruch to hide while they approach the king about the scroll (Jeremiah 36:19-20). This scene reveals a glimmer of hope within the leadership, as some officials acknowledge the truth of God's word and attempt to mitigate the potential fallout.
Jehoiakim's Defiance and the Burning of the Scroll (Jeremiah 36:21-26)
The officials' fears regarding Jehoiakim's response prove well-founded. When the scroll is read to him, the king displays utter disregard for God's word and Judah's sin. In a shocking act of defiance, Jehoiakim slices up the scroll piece by piece and throws it into a fire until it is completely consumed (Jeremiah 36:22-23). His officials plead with him not to do it, but he refuses to listen (Jeremiah 36:25). Jehoiakim's heart is so hardened that neither he nor his servants are terrified or repent upon hearing God's words of judgment (Jeremiah 36:24). He then orders the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch, but "the LORD hid them" (Jeremiah 36:26). This episode illustrates the depth of Judah's rebellion and the consequences of rejecting God's message. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the futility of resisting divine authority.
The Scroll Rewritten and Judgment Confirmed (Jeremiah 36:27-32)
Jehoiakim's attempt to destroy God's word is ultimately futile. As Tony Evans aptly puts it, "If you receive an eviction notice, burning it won’t keep you from being evicted." The Lord commands Jeremiah to dictate the prophecies to Baruch once again, this time with added judgments specifically against Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:27-28). These judgments include the denial of a successor to David's throne and the ignominious treatment of his corpse after death (Jeremiah 36:30). This was the price Jehoiakim paid for rejecting the Lord. The rewriting of the scroll emphasizes the enduring power of God's word and the certainty of his judgments. It demonstrates that even when opposed and rejected, God's purposes will ultimately be fulfilled.
Jeremiah 36 is a powerful reminder of the importance of heeding God's word, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. It highlights the consequences of rejecting divine authority and the unwavering nature of God's judgment. Yet, it also offers a message of hope, demonstrating God's patience and his desire for reconciliation with his people. The chapter calls us to examine our own hearts, to ensure that we are receptive to God's message and willing to obey his commands.
And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,
Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.
And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the Lord:
Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the Lord in the ears of the people in the Lord’s house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.
It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath pronounced against this people.
And Baruch the son of Neriah did according to all that Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading in the book the words of the Lord in the Lord’s house.
And it came to pass in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month, that they proclaimed a fast before the Lord to all the people in Jerusalem, and to all the people that came from the cities of Judah unto Jerusalem.
Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the Lord, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the Lord’s house, in the ears of all the people.
When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the Lord,
Then he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.
Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.
Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.
And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.
Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.
And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?
Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.
Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.
And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.
So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe’s chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.
Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.
And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.
Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words.
Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.
But the king commanded Jerahmeel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet: but the Lord hid them.
Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.
And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast?
Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.
And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.
Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.
Jeremiah 36 recounts a pivotal moment in the prophet's ministry, showcasing both the rebellious heart of Judah's leadership and the unwavering power of God's word. This chapter transitions Jeremiah from primarily an oral prophet to one who documents his prophecies in writing, emphasizing the lasting impact of God's message. It serves as a potent reminder that even in the face of rejection and destruction, God's purposes will ultimately prevail.
From Speaking to Writing (Jeremiah 36:1-3)
Initially, Jeremiah served as a speaking prophet, delivering God's messages directly to the people. However, Jeremiah 36:1-3 marks a turning point. God commands Jeremiah to record all his prophecies from the reign of Josiah until that present day. This transition to a writing ministry was significant. By documenting these prophecies, Jeremiah ensured their preservation and wider dissemination. The purpose was clear: to give the leaders and people of Judah an opportunity to repent, receive forgiveness, and avert the impending judgment. It was a final plea for them to turn back to the Lord. This demonstrates God's patience and his desire for reconciliation with his people, even as judgment loomed.
Baruch's Faithful Service and Jeremiah's Confinement (Jeremiah 36:4-8)
Jeremiah dictated the prophecies, and Baruch, his secretary, faithfully recorded them (Jeremiah 36:4). Baruch's role highlights the importance of those who support and enable the prophetic voice. However, Jeremiah was restricted from entering the temple (Jeremiah 36:5). This exclusion is a stark reminder that even the most faithful servants of God can face opposition and limitations. Imagine the frustration of being barred from the very place where God's message needed to be heard! Undeterred, Jeremiah instructs Baruch to read the scroll to the people at the temple and to those coming from the Judean cities (Jeremiah 36:6). This act of obedience demonstrates a commitment to spreading God's word, even when facing obstacles.
The Scroll is Read and the Officials Take Heed (Jeremiah 36:9-20)
In the fifth year of Jehoiakim's reign, Baruch reads the scroll in the temple (Jeremiah 36:9-10). Among those listening is Micaiah, who reports what he heard to a group of officials. These officials, recognizing the gravity of the message, invite Baruch to read it to them personally (Jeremiah 36:10-15). Upon hearing God's words of judgment, the officials are filled with fear. They understand the dire consequences facing Jerusalem and recognize the need to inform the king (Jeremiah 36:16). However, knowing Jehoiakim's likely reaction, they advise Jeremiah and Baruch to hide while they approach the king about the scroll (Jeremiah 36:19-20). This scene reveals a glimmer of hope within the leadership, as some officials acknowledge the truth of God's word and attempt to mitigate the potential fallout.
Jehoiakim's Defiance and the Burning of the Scroll (Jeremiah 36:21-26)
The officials' fears regarding Jehoiakim's response prove well-founded. When the scroll is read to him, the king displays utter disregard for God's word and Judah's sin. In a shocking act of defiance, Jehoiakim slices up the scroll piece by piece and throws it into a fire until it is completely consumed (Jeremiah 36:22-23). His officials plead with him not to do it, but he refuses to listen (Jeremiah 36:25). Jehoiakim's heart is so hardened that neither he nor his servants are terrified or repent upon hearing God's words of judgment (Jeremiah 36:24). He then orders the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch, but "the LORD hid them" (Jeremiah 36:26). This episode illustrates the depth of Judah's rebellion and the consequences of rejecting God's message. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the futility of resisting divine authority.
The Scroll Rewritten and Judgment Confirmed (Jeremiah 36:27-32)
Jehoiakim's attempt to destroy God's word is ultimately futile. As Tony Evans aptly puts it, "If you receive an eviction notice, burning it won’t keep you from being evicted." The Lord commands Jeremiah to dictate the prophecies to Baruch once again, this time with added judgments specifically against Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:27-28). These judgments include the denial of a successor to David's throne and the ignominious treatment of his corpse after death (Jeremiah 36:30). This was the price Jehoiakim paid for rejecting the Lord. The rewriting of the scroll emphasizes the enduring power of God's word and the certainty of his judgments. It demonstrates that even when opposed and rejected, God's purposes will ultimately be fulfilled.
Jeremiah 36 is a powerful reminder of the importance of heeding God's word, even when it is difficult or uncomfortable. It highlights the consequences of rejecting divine authority and the unwavering nature of God's judgment. Yet, it also offers a message of hope, demonstrating God's patience and his desire for reconciliation with his people. The chapter calls us to examine our own hearts, to ensure that we are receptive to God's message and willing to obey his commands.