# Overview Jeremiah Chapter 36 presents a pivotal moment in the ministry of the prophet #Jeremiah and the unfolding narrative of #Judah's impending judgment. In the fourth year of #Jehoiakim, the son of #Josiah, king of Judah, God commands Jeremiah to take a scroll and write down all the words spoken to him concerning #Israel, #Judah, and all the nations, from the days of #Josiah until the present. This task is intended to urge the people of Judah to repent from their evil ways, so that God might forgive their iniquities. Jeremiah dictates the words to #Baruch, the son of Neriah, who writes them on the scroll. Since Jeremiah is restricted from entering the temple, he instructs Baruch to go to the house of the Lord on a day of fasting to read the scroll aloud to the people, hoping they might turn from their wickedness. The chapter further unfolds as the scroll makes its way to the ears of the officials and eventually to King Jehoiakim himself. Upon hearing the prophecies, the king demonstrates a brazen disregard for God's word by cutting the scroll with a knife and throwing it into the fire piece by piece. Despite the warnings from his counselors to not burn the scroll, Jehoiakim persists, showing his contempt and sealing Judah's fate. In response, God commands Jeremiah to take another scroll and rewrite the same words, adding further pronouncements of judgment against Jehoiakim and his lineage for his actions. This chapter emphasizes the themes of divine communication, the hard-heartedness of Judah's leadership, and the inevitable fulfillment of #God's word despite human attempts to suppress it. ## Theological Insights Jeremiah 36 presents a powerful depiction of the interaction between the prophetic word of God and human authority, revealing key theological themes of divine sovereignty, human rebellion, and the indestructibility of God's word. The chapter illustrates God's unwavering commitment to communicate with His people through His prophet #Jeremiah, despite the persistent rebellion and resistance from #Judah's leadership. The chapter begins with God instructing Jeremiah to write down all the words He has spoken against #Israel, #Judah, and other nations since the days of [[Josiah]]. This action underscores the theological theme of the written word as a means of preserving divine revelation, ensuring that the message reaches not only the immediate audience but future generations. The call to repentance is central, as God expresses the hope that Judah might hear all the calamity He intends to bring and turn from their evil ways, so that He may forgive their iniquity and sin (Jeremiah 36:3). When #Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe, reads the scroll in the Temple, it signifies the public proclamation of God's word, demonstrating that divine messages are intended for communal hearing and response. This is reminiscent of other instances where public reading of the law or prophetic word is used to call the people back to covenant faithfulness, as seen in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 31]] and [[Nehemiah/Nehemiah Chapter 8]]. The reaction of King #Jehoiakim to the scroll is emblematic of human resistance to divine authority. His act of cutting and burning the scroll reveals a heart hardened against God's word, reflecting the broader theme of human rebellion against divine instruction. This mirrors instances where leaders reject prophetic warnings and face dire consequences, as evidenced in the narratives of [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 5]] with Pharaoh's hardened heart. Despite Jehoiakim's attempt to destroy the prophetic word, God commands Jeremiah to write another scroll, illustrating the theological truth of the indestructibility of God's message. The word of God endures beyond human attempts to suppress or erase it. This resilience of divine revelation is echoed in passages like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40|Isaiah 40:8]], where the permanence of God's word is affirmed. Finally, the chapter concludes with a declaration of judgment against Jehoiakim, reinforcing the theme of divine justice. The assurance that God will hold accountable those who reject His word serves as a reminder of His sovereign rule over all creation. This theme of accountability and divine retribution is consistent with the broader prophetic literature, as seen in [[Amos/Amos Chapter 5]] and [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 14]]. In sum, Jeremiah 36 provides profound theological insights into the nature of God's word, the human response to it, and the certainty of divine justice. It calls believers to reflect on their own response to God's revealed will and to trust in the enduring power of His word. ## Thematic Connections ### The Power of God's Word Jeremiah 36 emphasizes the enduring power and authority of God's Word. Despite the burning of the scroll by #KingJehoiakim, God's message through #Jeremiah is not thwarted. This theme resonates with other scriptures that highlight the indestructibility and eternal nature of God's Word, such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40|Isaiah 40:8]], which declares, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever," and [[Matthew/Matthew Chapter 24|Matthew 24:35]], where Jesus affirms, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." ### Human Rebellion Against Divine Authority The chapter illustrates the theme of human rebellion against divine authority, as demonstrated by #Jehoiakim's rejection and destruction of the scroll. This act mirrors the broader biblical narrative of human resistance to God's commands, as seen in the defiance of Pharaoh in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 5|Exodus 5]] and the rebellion of the Israelites in the wilderness in [[Numbers/Numbers Chapter 14|Numbers 14]]. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of rejecting God's word and authority. ### Repentance and Divine Patience Jeremiah 36 also highlights the theme of repentance and divine patience. God's instruction to Jeremiah to have #Baruch write the words on a scroll and read them to the people provides an opportunity for repentance, as seen in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 36|Jeremiah 36:3]], "It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the disaster that I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin." This echoes the recurring biblical theme of God's desire for repentance, as found in [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 18|Ezekiel 18:23]] and [[2 Peter/2 Peter Chapter 3|2 Peter 3:9]], which both affirm God's patience and desire for repentance rather than destruction. ### The Role of the Prophet This chapter underscores the role of the prophet as a messenger of God's word, regardless of the personal risk or rejection they may face. Jeremiah's obedience in dictating God's words to Baruch, and Baruch's subsequent reading of them to the people, highlight the courage and faithfulness required of God's prophets. This theme is consistent with the experiences of other prophets, such as #Moses in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 3|Exodus 3]] and #Elijah in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 18|1 Kings 18]], who also faced opposition and danger in delivering God's messages. ### Divine Sovereignty and Human Free Will Jeremiah 36 presents a tension between divine sovereignty and human free will. Despite God's sovereign plan and the clear warning given through Jeremiah, Jehoiakim exercises his free will to reject the message. This theme is evident throughout Scripture, as seen in the choices of #Pharaoh in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 9|Exodus 9]] and the Israelites’ repeated disobedience in the wilderness as depicted in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 9|Deuteronomy 9]]. It highlights the reality that while God is sovereign, humans are responsible for their responses to His Word. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Preservation of God's Word In #Jeremiah 36, the prophetic fulfillment of the preservation of God's Word is evident. Despite King Jehoiakim's attempt to destroy the scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecies by burning it (Jeremiah 36:23), the message of God endures. This act of preservation is a testament to the divine promise that God's Word will not be silenced or invalidated by human actions. The Lord commands Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll with additional words (Jeremiah 36:32), affirming the eternal nature of God’s declarations, reminiscent of the promise in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40|Isaiah 40:8]] that the word of our God will stand forever. ### Judgment on Jehoiakim The events of Jeremiah 36 also fulfill specific prophecies concerning judgment upon #Jehoiakim. In Jeremiah 36:30, it is prophesied that Jehoiakim would have no one to sit on the throne of David and that his corpse would be cast out to face the heat by day and the frost by night. This prophecy reflects the judgment themes found in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 22|Jeremiah 22:18-19]], where Jehoiakim’s ignominious end is foretold. Jehoiakim’s refusal to heed the prophetic words and his subsequent judgment highlight the fulfillment of God's warnings against disobedience and rejection of His messages. ### The Continuance of Prophetic Declaration The chapter underscores the fulfillment of the divine principle that God's messages will continue through His appointed prophets, even amidst opposition. Jeremiah’s instruction to Baruch to write and proclaim the words of the scroll (Jeremiah 36:2-8) and the subsequent re-writing of the scroll after its destruction signify the unstoppable nature of God’s prophetic declarations. This theme is echoed in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 55|Isaiah 55:11]], where God declares that His word will not return empty but will accomplish what He desires. Despite human resistance, God's purposes are fulfilled through the unwavering delivery of His word. ### The Call to Repentance Jeremiah 36 reflects the fulfillment of God's continual call to repentance, a central theme in prophetic literature. The reading of the scroll to the people, officials, and eventually to the king (Jeremiah 36:6-21) was intended as a means to provoke repentance and avert the promised disaster, reflecting God’s desire for His people to turn back to Him. This call to repentance aligns with the broader prophetic mission seen in the ministry of prophets like [[Jonah/Jonah Chapter 3|Jonah]] and [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 18|Ezekiel 18]], where God expresses His willingness to relent from sending calamity if the people repent. The lack of repentance from Jehoiakim and the leaders fulfills the unfortunate pattern of Israel's historical resistance to prophetic calls for change. ## Verses - **Jeremiah 36:1** - "During the fourth year that Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king in Judah, the LORD gave this message to Jeremiah:" - **Jeremiah 36:2** - "'Get a scroll, and write down all my messages against Israel, Judah, and the other nations. Begin with the first message back in the days of Josiah, and write down every message, right up to the present time.'" - **Jeremiah 36:3** - "Perhaps the people of Judah will repent when they hear again all the terrible things I have planned for them. Then I will be able to forgive their sins and wrongdoings." - **Jeremiah 36:4** - "So Jeremiah sent for Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated all the prophecies that the LORD had given him, Baruch wrote them on a scroll." - **Jeremiah 36:5** - "Then Jeremiah said to Baruch, 'I am a prisoner here and unable to go to the Temple.'" - **Jeremiah 36:6** - "'So you go to the Temple on the next day of fasting, and read the messages from the LORD that I have had you write on this scroll. Read them so the people who are there from all over Judah will hear them.'" - **Jeremiah 36:7** - "'Perhaps even yet they will turn from their evil ways and ask the LORD’s forgiveness before it is too late. For the LORD has threatened them with his terrible anger.'" - **Jeremiah 36:8** - "Baruch did as Jeremiah told him and read these messages from the LORD to the people at the Temple." - **Jeremiah 36:9** - "It was late autumn, during the fifth year of the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah, that the officials of Judah called for a day of fasting. The people from all over Judah came to Jerusalem to attend the services at the Temple." - **Jeremiah 36:10** - "Then Baruch read Jeremiah’s words on the scroll to all the people. He stood in front of the Temple room of Gemariah son of Shaphan, the secretary. This room was just off the upper courtyard of the Temple, near the New Gate entrance." - **Jeremiah 36:11** - "When Micaiah son of Gemariah and grandson of Shaphan heard the messages from the LORD," - **Jeremiah 36:12** - "he went down to the secretary’s room in the palace where the administrative officials were meeting. Elishama the secretary was there, along with Delaiah son of Shemaiah, Elnathan son of Acbor, Gemariah son of Shaphan, Zedekiah son of Hananiah, and all the other officials." - **Jeremiah 36:13** - "When Micaiah told them about the messages Baruch was reading to the people," - **Jeremiah 36:14** - "the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah, grandson of Shelemiah and great-grandson of Cushi, to ask Baruch to come and read the messages to them, too. So Baruch took the scroll and went to them." - **Jeremiah 36:15** - "'Sit down and read the scroll to us,' the officials said, and Baruch did as they requested." - **Jeremiah 36:16** - "When they heard all the messages, they looked at one another in alarm. 'We must tell the king what we have heard,' they said to Baruch." - **Jeremiah 36:17** - "'But first, tell us how you got these messages. Did they come directly from Jeremiah?'" - **Jeremiah 36:18** - "So Baruch explained, 'Jeremiah dictated them, and I wrote them down in ink, word for word, on this scroll.'" - **Jeremiah 36:19** - "'You and Jeremiah should both hide,' the officials told Baruch. 'Don’t tell anyone where you are!'" - **Jeremiah 36:20** - "Then the officials left the scroll for safekeeping in the room of Elishama the secretary and went to tell the king what had happened." - **Jeremiah 36:21** - "The king sent Jehudi to get the scroll. Jehudi brought it from Elishama’s room and read it to the king as all his officials stood by." - **Jeremiah 36:22** - "It was late autumn, and the king was in a winterized part of the palace, sitting in front of a fire to keep warm." - **Jeremiah 36:23** - "Each time Jehudi finished reading three or four columns, the king took a knife and cut off that section of the scroll. He then threw it into the fire, section by section, until the whole scroll was burned up." - **Jeremiah 36:24** - "Neither the king nor his attendants showed any signs of fear or repentance at what they heard." - **Jeremiah 36:25** - "Even when Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah begged the king not to burn the scroll, he wouldn’t listen." - **Jeremiah 36:26** - "Then the king commanded his son Jerahmeel, Seraiah son of Azriel, and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch and Jeremiah. But the LORD had hidden them." - **Jeremiah 36:27** - "After the king had burned the scroll on which Baruch had written Jeremiah’s words, the LORD gave Jeremiah another message. He said," - **Jeremiah 36:28** - "'Get another scroll, and write everything again just as you did on the scroll King Jehoiakim burned.'" - **Jeremiah 36:29** - "Then say to the king, ‘This is what the LORD says: You burned the scroll because it said the king of Babylon would destroy this land and empty it of people and animals.'" - **Jeremiah 36:30** - "'Now this is what the LORD says about King Jehoiakim of Judah: He will have no heirs to sit on the throne of David. His dead body will be thrown out to lie unburied—exposed to the heat of the day and the frost of the night.'" - **Jeremiah 36:31** - "'I will punish him and his family and his attendants for their sins. I will pour out on them and on all the people of Jerusalem and Judah all the disasters I promised, for they would not listen to my warnings.'" - **Jeremiah 36:32** - "So Jeremiah took another scroll and dictated again to his secretary Baruch. He wrote everything that had been on the scroll King Jehoiakim had burned in the fire. Only this time he added much more!" ### Cross-References by Chapter - **Jehoiakim** - [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 23]], [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 36]] - **Baruch** - [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 32]], [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 45]] - **Josiah** - [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 22]], [[2 Chronicles/2 Chronicles Chapter 34]] - **Babylon** - [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 25]], [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 29]] - **Prophecy** - [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 30]], [[Ezekiel/Ezekiel Chapter 2]]