A Tale of Two Responses: Lessons from Jeremiah 36

In Jeremiah 36, we encounter a vivid narrative of contrasts: faithfulness versus rebellion, reverence versus defiance, and restoration versus destruction. This chapter recounts how the prophet Jeremiah, through his scribe Baruch, delivers God’s words of warning and hope to a nation teetering on the brink of judgment. But how those words are received reveals the stark difference between hearts that tremble at God’s Word and those that dismiss it with contempt.

The Scroll and the Fire

Jeremiah, barred from entering the temple, commands Baruch to write down all the words of prophecy that God has given him and to read them aloud to the people (vv. 1–4). The timing is significant: this public reading occurs during a day of fasting, a moment when the people are seeking divine intervention during a time of national crisis. The message carries weight; it profoundly disturbs the officials who hear it, prompting a private reading before the ruling elite (vv. 9–15).

What happens next is both shocking and sobering. As Baruch’s scroll is read to King Jehoiakim, the king reacts with brazen contempt. Instead of heeding the warnings, he cuts off portions of the scroll as they are read and casts them into the fire. This act of sacrilege reveals his hardened heart and disdain for God’s authority (vv. 22–24).

Two Responses to God’s Word

The narrative draws a sharp contrast between Jehoiakim and his father, King Josiah. When Josiah heard the reading of the law, he tore his clothes in grief, humbled himself before the Lord, and sought to lead his people in repentance (2 Kings 22:11). Jehoiakim, by contrast, shows no fear, no repentance, and no reverence. His callous disregard for God’s Word not only seals his own judgment but also foreshadows the downfall of his dynasty.

Jehoiakim’s rejection of the scroll also brings to mind Moses and the two sets of stone tablets. Just as Moses replaced the tablets that were broken during Israel’s rebellion, so Jeremiah commissions Baruch to write another scroll, this time with additional content (vv. 27–32). The parallels underscore the enduring nature of God’s Word. Kings may burn scrolls, but God’s truth cannot be extinguished.

Lessons for Today

1. God’s Word Will Endure
   Jehoiakim’s attempt to destroy God’s Word was futile. The burning of the scroll did not silence the message—it only amplified it. God’s Word is eternal, outlasting even the most vehement opposition (Isaiah 40:8). This is a powerful reminder for us today that no human effort can thwart God’s purposes.

2. Reverence Matters
   The contrasting responses of Josiah and Jehoiakim highlight the importance of how we approach God’s Word. Josiah’s humility and repentance brought restoration; Jehoiakim’s defiance brought judgment. When we encounter God’s Word, do we approach it with reverence, allowing it to search our hearts, or do we dismiss its authority in favor of our own desires?

3. God’s Mercy is Always Available
   Even as judgment looms, the purpose of Jeremiah’s prophecies is ultimately redemptive. The repeated readings of the scroll reflect God’s patient pursuit of His people, giving them opportunity after opportunity to turn back to Him. This is a reminder that God’s mercy is available to all who are willing to receive it.

4. Faithfulness Amid Rejection
   Jeremiah and Baruch demonstrate steadfast faithfulness in the face of rejection and danger. Despite the king’s hostility, they obediently proclaim God’s message. Their perseverance challenges us to remain faithful witnesses to God’s truth, even when it is unpopular or met with resistance.

A Foreshadowing of Christ

Jeremiah’s intercession for the people and his willingness to face danger for the sake of God’s Word foreshadow the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ. While Jeremiah delivers God’s words of warning, Christ embodies God’s Word in flesh. And where Jeremiah points to the need for repentance, Christ provides the means for ultimate redemption through His life, death, and resurrection.

As Jehoiakim’s sacrilege reminds us of humanity’s capacity to reject God’s authority, the second scroll reminds us of God’s unwavering commitment to His purposes. Just as God’s Word was rewritten and preserved in Jeremiah’s day, it finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the eternal Word who cannot be silenced.

Living Out the Truth

Jeremiah 36 calls us to examine our response to God’s Word. Will we harden our hearts like Jehoiakim, resisting God’s call, or will we humble ourselves like Josiah, allowing His Word to transform us? Let us approach God’s truth with reverence and allow it to shape our lives, trusting that His purposes will prevail no matter the opposition.

In a world that often seeks to dismiss or distort God’s Word, may we, like Jeremiah and Baruch, remain faithful stewards of the truth, knowing that God’s Word will endure forever and His mercy is new every morning.