Speaks • Jeremiah 36:19-31
By Don Schuman
This chapter of Jeremiah illustrates different responses to the Word of God. Some believe it and repent. Others hear it and fear. Still others reject it.
Delivered (Jeremiah 36:19-21). The Lord gave Jeremiah messages to write down and proclaim by his servant Baruch to the people for the purpose of their hearing and repenting. In His grace God was willing to forgive their sins if they would turn to Him. Thus, the scroll was read at the Temple.
The Word that the Lord delivered through Jeremiah was a great treasure for people then and today. Even greater is the Word made flesh and delivered to us in these last days.
Hebrews 1:1–2 says, God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds (KJV).
If archaeologists would consider an original copy of Jeremiah’s scroll priceless today, how much more priceless is the Word given to us by the Son of God for us! God has delivered His complete Word, and by faith in hearing (Romans 10:17) souls can be delivered from wrath and born again into the family of God.
Destroyed (Jeremiah 36:22-26). While some nobles heard the Word and feared the wrath of God, King Jehoiakim did not fear God. As he listened to sections of the scroll, he took a scribe’s knife, cut off several columns, and threw them into a fire.
The Word is like a fire (Jeremiah 23:29) that should have warmed the heart to repentance, but to Jehoiakim the Word was only fit for burning.
Destroying the Word of God does not make for an escape from the judgment of God. His Word is fulfilled whether we believe it or not and His warnings of judgment will be accomplished whether we believe them or not.
Too many people today ignore the Word of God in a false hope that by not believing, judgment and wrath will not fall on them. Others, like Jehoiakim, cut out the parts of God’s Word they reject both literally and spiritually.
In a similar vein, some devoted students of the Word spiritually carve up the Bible to fit their doctrinal systems when their systems clash with particular passages or verses. They reject parts of God’s Word that confuse — or convict — them.
Other less devoted religious people might adopt a lifestyle based on the Golden Rule, yet cast aside passages that call for us to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Still other religious people might take the opposite — but still erroneous — approach of claiming a high devotion to God, but like the Pharisees lack a love for their neighbors. We should guard our hearts against slicing and casting away anyScriptures.
The Word of God is not a dinner buffet from which we are allowed to pick and choose what we will heed and what we will leave. The Lord calls us to accept His Word. The Apostle Paul was careful to teach and preach the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).
This book of Jeremiah, written to Jews over 2,500 years ago, still speaks to us today if we will listen.
Several times God warns us in His Word not to add to or take away from His Word (Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 12:32, Proverbs 30:5-6, Revelation 22:18-19), lest we face His wrath.
Replaced (Jeremiah 36:27-31). Because of King Jehoiakim’s unbelieving disdain for the Word of God specifically addressed to him, the Lord removed him as king and replaced him.
Isaiah 5:24 is a prophecy against the wicked that applies to this wicked king of Judah: Therefore as the fire devoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust: because they have cast away the law of the LORD of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel (KJV).
Jehoiachin (also called Jeconiah in the book of Jeremiah), son of Jehoiakim, only ruled three months before he was carried off in captivity to Babylon. Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, replaced him on the throne.
Jesus said, Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away (Matthew 24:35 KJV). Although the world has historically sought to eradicate the Bible, today it still stands and is stronger than ever.
According to the Gideons International website, last December they celebrated having distributed 2.5 billion copies of the Word of God over the years of their ministry.
Let us embrace the whole Word with our whole heart.
Schuman is pastor of Temple Church, Myrtle.
