Thesis: To instruct the hearers concerning the power of God’s word, how it works in the hearts of people, and its every abiding nature.
Text: Jer 36:1-32
Introduction,
The section of Scripture we will be looking at today is the 36th chapter of the book of Jeremiah, the year is probably about 606 BC, Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, was in the 4th year of his reign, as you will see, he was a wicked, godless ruler over the nation of Judah. As can be seen today, many tend to follow the lead of the rulers over them, whether it be good, or evil, it was true of the southern kingdom in that day, and it’s true in this country today, therefore let us always pray for our leaders as instructed in 1 Tim 2:1-4 . . .
1Ti 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,
1Ti 2:2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
1Ti 2:3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
What we are going to be looking at here is God’s last ditch effort to bring Judah to repentance, in order to divert the end of Jerusalem, the temple, and the nation of Israel as a free and sovereign state.
What is so interesting about this account is the way that the word of God is put at the forefront, (as it often is) showing many of its active traits, and also showing man’s reaction thereto (Heb 4:12) . . .
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Over the ages, mankind hasn’t changed much, and God’s word hasn’t changed one iota, with that in mind we will look into this account and see how it shadows much of what we see today, in order that we can learn and grow “through the word of God, which lives and abides forever” (1 Pet 1:23).
We will break this lesson down into 4 sections . . .
1) The commission and purpose brought forth through the word (Jer 36:1-10)
2) The fear and wisdom brought forth through the word (Jer 35:11-19)
3) The deceitful reactions brought forth through disdain for the word (Jer 36:20-26)
4) The ever abiding nature of the word (Jer 36:27-32).
I. THE COMMISSION AND PURPOSE BROUGHT FORTH THROUGH THE WORD
(Jer 36:1-10)
(v 1)
Jer 36:1 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
Here (in v 1) we see the phraseology which refers to the word that came “from the LORD”, it was not of man, but of Divine origin, this or like allusions occur over 400 times in the Book of Jeremiah.
We need to keep in mind that the bible is not of human origin, but of God (1 Thess 2:13; 2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:20-21)
1Th 2:13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
2Ti 3:16 All Scripture is (inspired) breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
2Ti 3:17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2Pe 1:20 Most important of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in the Scriptures comes from the prophet's own understanding.
2Pe 1:21 No prophecy ever came from what some person wanted to say. But people were led by the Holy Spirit and spoke words from God. (ERV)
i. And the words therein are authoritative (1 Cor 14:37; 1 Tim 4:11; 5:11).
1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.
1Ti 4:11 These things command and teach.
1Ti 5:7 These things also command, that they may be without reproach.
ii. They are to be that which determine who we fellowship, and who we don’t (2 Thess 3:14; Rom 16:17-18).
2Th 3:14 If anyone does not obey what we say in this letter, take note of that person, and have nothing to do with him, that he may be ashamed.
Rom 16:17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.
Rom 16:18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
iii. The reason behind this is the word of God is that standard by which we will all be judged on the Last Day, not by the creeds, prayer books, catechisms of men, or what we think, but by the living word of the living God (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12)
Joh 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Rom 2:16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened (the books of the Bible): and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books (of the Bible), according to their works.
(v 2)
Jer 36:2 "Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah until today.
Here, Jeremiah was commanded to write down the prophecies which he had been delivering for the past 20+ years
i. They didn’t have books like we have today, rather they wrote on cleaned, stretched and dried sheepskin, which was sewn together and rolled up around two long round sticks.
ii. With Babylon soon to come upon Jerusalem, it is God’s hope that the people, when they hear the message might repent, in order that He might divert the coming destruction (Ezek 18:23).
iii. The same is true today, God had plainly stated in His word that it is during this life in which one has to come to believe and obey the Lord (Heb 9:27).
Heb 9:27 . . . it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,
iv. And there seems to be no crossing over in the heavenly places (Lk 16:26)
Luk 16:26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'
v. God has laid out a simple plan for humanity (Mk 16:16a).
Mar 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
vi. Yet many attempt to follow the wisdom of men instead of believing and obeying the word of God, and many times that to their own demise (Pro 14:12; Mt 15:9; Col 2:8).
Pro 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Mat 15:9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
(v 3)
Jer 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."
The people were to hear about the judgment God was going to bring upon them, fear, then based upon that fear, turn from their evil way.
i. The fear of God’s judgment is also to be a motivating factor for us today, but not fear only, also faith, hope and love are to be included in our motivation to believe and obey the gospel, but fear is also to be an aspect of our motivation (Mt 10:28; Lk 12:5; Acts 17:30-31; 24:24-25; 2 Cor 7:1; Phili 2:12; 2 Thess 1:6-9; Heb 10:30-31; 12:28-29),
Mat 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Luk 12:5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
2Co 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.
Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
2Th 1:6 since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you,
2Th 1:7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels
2Th 1:8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
2Th 1:9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
Heb 10:30 For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people."
Heb 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Heb 12:28 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable (service) worship, with reverence and awe,
Heb 12:29 for our God is a consuming fire.
ii. This is where many fall short today, thus what we see is a God, a Jesus brought forth that is not of the bible, but one of their own concoction, then when evil things start taking place, then our over all God (Eph 4:6) is brought into question, Paul put it this way in Rom 11:20-22 . . .
Rom 11:20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. So do not become proud, but fear.
Rom 11:21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you.
Rom 11:22 Note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God's kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness. Otherwise you too will be cut off.
iii. Many have stated that the God of the OT was mean and fearful while the God of the NT is loving and full of grace, the scriptures plainly bring forth in both dispensations a God with a severe and kind nature, for the bible teaches that God does not change (Mal 3:6; Ja 1:17)
Mal 3:6 "For I the LORD do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
(v 4)
Jer 36:4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah, and Baruch wrote on a scroll at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD that he had spoken to him.
Here is brought forth “Baruch” his name means “Blessed” (“to speak well of God”), he is Jeremiah’s amanuensis (writing secretary), he faithfully writes down the words of the LORD as dictated by Jeremiah.
There are those today who are bringing forth a host of corrupt Bible versions, these are not like Baruch, they do not faithfully render God’s word, rather they twist it to fit their manmade doctrines and sins of the day in order to sway those that read it (Mt 15:14).
i. Those that have their parts in these perversions will give account on That Day, let us pray that they repent and denounce their handy works as fallacious, in order that that flow of the blind into the pit can be stopped.
(v 5)
Jer 36:5 And Jeremiah ordered Baruch, saying, "I am banned from going to the house of the LORD,
For some reason Jeremiah was restrained from going to the temple himself, was he ceremonially unclean? Was he under the command of the Lord? Was there danger awaiting him at the temple? Any answer here would be mere speculation.
(v 6-7)
Jer 36:6 so you are to go, and on a day of fasting in the hearing of all the people in the LORD's house you shall read the words of the LORD from the scroll that you have written at my dictation. You shall read them also in the hearing of all the men of Judah who come out of their cities.
Jer 36:7 It may be that their plea for mercy will come before the LORD, and that every one will turn from his evil way, for great is the anger and wrath that the LORD has pronounced against this people."
Baruch was commissioned by the prophet that when a fast day came about, he would go to the temple and read the “words of the LORD” into their ears, in order that they may repent and pray a prayer for mercy unto God, in order that God might turn from His great anger and wrath that was soon to be manifested through the Babylonian war machine.
i. We need also to read the “words of the LORD,” for it is the word of God which contains the power (Rom 1:16a), there is far too little of God’s word being preached today, and far too much of man’s wisdom being propagated from the pulpits across the world, we are commanded to (2 Tim 4:2-4) . . .
2Ti 4:2 preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;
2Ti 4:4 and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
ii. And when some finally do hear the truth, it is shocking in comparison to much of what they have been hearing from the religions of men, it is sad that so many who claim to follow the Lord are so far from the truth that makes them free.
(v 8)
Jer 36:8 And Baruch the son of Neriah did all that Jeremiah the prophet ordered him about reading from the scroll the words of the LORD in the LORD's house.
Baruch did “all” the will of the Lord as commanded by the prophet Jeremiah, not just part of it, we also are commanded to do “all” the will of the Lord today according to the New Covenant of Jesus Christ (Mt 28:20; Acts 3:23-24)
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you . . .
Act 3:22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in (all things; ASV) whatever he tells you.
Act 3:23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'
i. Jesus said in Jn 14:15 . . .
Joh 14:15 If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
ii. John also wrote later in his epistles in 2 Jn 6 . . .
2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.
iii. Note that in the admonitions (warnings) of the NT we see not only love as a motivating factor, but also faith, hope and fear being expressed, these combined ought to bring us where God wants us to be in our lives unto Him, next we have a detailed description of the account . . .
(v 9-10)
Jer 36:9 In the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, in the ninth month, all the people in Jerusalem and all the people who came from the cities of Judah to Jerusalem proclaimed a fast before the LORD.
Jer 36:10 Then, in the hearing of all the people, Baruch read the words of Jeremiah from the scroll, in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the secretary, which was in the upper court, at the entry of the New Gate of the LORD's house.
Now in the next year (the 5th year and the 9th month) there was a fast proclaimed, the purpose is not revealed, but it likely was not the one fast commanded by the Law of Moses, which was the Day of Atonement (which was in the 7th month), it must have been one that they deemed necessary, perhaps is was to have God turn away the war which was on the horizon.
What is important to note here is that Baruch, did as commanded by the prophet, he “went” and “read” “God’s words” in the temple to “all” the people.
i. Today God’s house, God’s temple, is the church (1 Tim 3:15; 1 Cor 3:16-17; 3:9b).
1Ti 3:15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the house(hold) of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.
1Co 3:16 Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
1Co 3:17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple.
1Co 3:9b You are God's field, God's building.
ii. Biblically speaking we don’t go to church, we are the church, we assemble together on the first day of the week to worship God by partaking of the Lord’s Supper, taking up a collection for needy saints, singing and praying unto God, preaching, teaching and learning through the word of God, and encouraging each other to faithfulness as the Day of Judgment gets closer (Heb 10:25)
iii. And all Christians, who are members of God’s family today, those born again into that family of God b means of water and the Spirit, they who believe and been baptized are under that perpetual command (known as the great commission) are also to make disciples of all the nations, as the Lord commanded (Mt 28:19-20; Mk 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; John 20:21) . . .
Mat 28:19 Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you (ISV) . . .
iv. . . . Which includes making disciples and then baptizing them
v. We make disciples (learners) when we teach them, impart knowledge of the gospel to them, and as that knowledge works upon their hearts (the word of God, the seed of the kingdom; Lk 8:11; that sword of the Spirit; Eph 6:17), God, through that knowledge is drawing them, calling them through the gospel message (2 Thess 2:14).
vi. Then what usually transpires is the learner comes to the conclusion that they need to be baptized, and this is true, because baptism is for remission of sins (Acts 2:38), it puts one in Christ (Rom 6:3; Gal 3:27), it also saves you (Mk 16:16; 1 Pet 3:21).
vii. Then the learner (disciple) is to be taught “all things” “everything” concerning the Way, the Faith, the apostles teachings (Acts 2:42), the teaching of Christ (2 Jn 9), growing through that pure milk of the word (1 Pet 2:2).
viii. Let us all follow the good example of Baruch and make God’s truths known to as many
people as possible while we are going about in this world, in order that all the more might come to believe and obey from the heart unto salvation, remembering “such were some of you” (1 Cor 6:9-11), we were formerly without God and without hope in this world (Eph 2:12; Rom 6:16-18), for we, like God, ought to want all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:3-4; Eph 4:25; 5:1; 1 Cor 11:1; Lk 19:10).
1Ti 2:3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,
1Ti 2:4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Eph 4:25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Eph 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
1Co 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Luk 19:10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost."
II. THE FEAR AND WISDOM BROUGHT FORTH THROUGH THE WORD (Jer 36:11-19).
A. (v 11-13)
Jer 36:11 When Micaiah the son of Gemariah, son of Shaphan, heard all the words of the LORD from the scroll,
Jer 36:12 he went down to the king's house, into the secretary's chamber, and all the officials were sitting there: Elishama the secretary, Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, Elnathan the son of Achbor, Gemariah the son of Shaphan, Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the officials.
Jer 36:13 And Micaiah told them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the scroll in the hearing of the people.
1. I am not sure what Micaiah’s motivation was, yet we also ought to be declaring “all” the words of God that we hear, for it is written in 1 Pet 4:11a; Rom 10:13-14a . . .
1Pe 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; (KJV)
Rom 10:13 for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Rom 10:14a How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard?
ii. Preachers ought to preach the word (2 Tim 4:2), others ought to speak the word (1 Pet 4:11), for therein is God’s power unleashed, that seed of the kingdom is sown (Lk 8:11), looking for honest and good hearts (Lk 8:15), in this manner we are lights of the world, the salt of the earth (Mt 5:13-16)
B. (v 14-16)
Jer 36:14 Then all the officials sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, son of Shelemiah, son of Cushi, to say to Baruch, "Take in your hand the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people, and come." So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and came to them.
Jer 36:15 And they said to him, "Sit down and read it." So Baruch read it to them.
Jer 36:16 When they heard all the words, they turned one to another in fear. And they said to Baruch, "We must report all these words to the king."
When Micaiah heard the words of the Lord by the mouth of Baruch, he went to the king’s house and summarized what he had heard to the princes (government officials), they then summoned Baruch to come there are read the book to them.
1. Thus Baruch did so, and when they heard it, they looked at one another in fear and said that they must tell the king the words which they heard. Keep in mind that it is written (Pro 1:7) . . .
Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
i. The fear that is manifested by those that hear the word of God is not so often seen these days, and if it is, it is short lived,
ii. The business of the world often pushes it to the back of one’s mind, but God is no back seat driver, neither is He riding shotgun, He is at the helm, people may be able to push Him out of their minds, but they will stand before His Son and be judged by that same Word on That Day (Jn 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12), and those that had opportunity and didn’t take advantage of it, will have wished they had believed and obeyed from the heart, while they had a chance (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Thess 1:7-9).
Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,
Act 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."
2Th 1:7 and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,
2Th 1:8 rendering vengeance to them that know not God, and to them that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus:
2Th 1:9 who shall suffer punishment, even eternal destruction (damnation, perdition) from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might,
iii. They are likened to Felix, whom Paul spoke to in Acts 24 about “righteousness and self-control and the Judgment to come,” and was “terrified” (Acts 24:24-25).
Act 24:24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about (the) faith in Christ Jesus.
Act 24:25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed (afraid) and said, "Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you."
iv. Yet that terror/fear did not (as far as we know) prompt him (Felix) to the obedience of faith (Rom 1:5; 16:26).
v. We need to keep in mind while we are on this subject, that God has not condemned man, man did this to himself, God’s laws cannot be put aside, sowing and reaping, action and reaction, the soul that sins dies (Ezek 18:20; Rom 6:23a).
Rom 6:23a For the wages of sin is death
vi. The 1st appearing of Christ came about “not” that people would be judged, they were, and are, already guilty (Rom 3:23),
Rom 3:23 for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;
vii. But rather Christ came that they might be “saved” through Him (John 3:17), in this is the love of God manifested.
Rom 6:23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
viii. Yet most today, tend to use their own terms to define sin, not God’s (1 John 3:4), they reason that since they hadn’t committed heinous crimes therefore many don’t believe they need a Savior, yet God states that even those that lied are eternally condemned, they are on the same level of guilt as the murderer (Rev 21:8).
Rev 21:8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death."
ix. Therefore let us believe God and enable others to access His grace that is found in the gospel in order that this may not be our end (Rom 5:1-2).
C. (v 17-18)
Jer 36:17 Then they asked Baruch, "Tell us, please, how did you write all these words? Was it at his dictation?"
Jer 36:18 Baruch answered them, "He dictated all these words to me, while I wrote them with ink on the scroll."
The princes then question Baruch about the words that he wrote, his answer was simple, Jeremiah spake, I wrote. It seems that Jeremiah was already considered a true prophet of God at this time, it is likely that many knew of his prophecies and that they did come to pass, establishing him as one who speaks for God according to Deut 18:21-22 . . .
Deu 18:21 And if you say in your heart, 'How may we know the word that the LORD has not spoken?'—
Deu 18:22 when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.
1. There are many these days that proclaim they prophecy of God, yet oftentimes it doesn’t come to pass, and then people give excuses, or try to twist what they formerly said, the truth is they are not prophets of God according to Deut 18:21-22, we must rather believe God than man when the two don’t agree.
2. Also note the word “words” in our verse, the bible plainly teaches that God’s word was delivered through the medium of “words” (2 Sam 23:2; Jer 1:9; 1 Cor 2:13; 2 Pet 1:19-21), not thoughts. This is what is known as “verbal (words), plenary (all of them), inspiration (inspired of God or God breathed)”
2Sa 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.
Jer 1:9 Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.
1Co 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Spirit teaches; combining spiritual things with spiritual [words]. (UPDV)
2Pe 1:21 For no prophecy ever came by the will of man: but men spake from God, being moved by the Holy Spirit. (ASV)
3. God did not put a message in individual’s heads and left it up to fallible men to deliver words based on their own human judgment, but rather God gave them the very words which to record.
i. Therefore it is of the utmost importance that we have a bible translation that is a “word for word” translation, so called “dynamic equivalence” translations are based upon the “fidelity of the thought of the biblical writers” what does their thought matter, its God’s words that matter, sometimes they didn’t even know the meaning of what God was delivering (1 Pet 1:10-12).
1Pe 1:10 Concerning which salvation the prophets sought and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did point unto, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow them.
1Pe 1:12 To whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto you, did they minister these things, which now have been announced unto you through them that preached the gospel unto you by the Holy Spirit sent forth from heaven; which things angels desire to look into. (ASV)
ii. It wasn’t till the NT was fully revealed that much of the OT prophecies were understood properly, even today unbelieving Jews look at Isa 53 as a passage speaking of their nation, not Jesus (Acts 2:38-39).
Act 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself."
iii. Those that are “far off” here is a reference to the Gentiles (Eph 2:13, 17), like Cornelius, but contextually, Peter here probably thought it meant Jews in a distant land, it would be another 10 years and the miraculous leading of God that would eventually open his eyes to the truth of what he by inspiration speaks of here.
iv. Many translations are nothing more than a paraphrase, a commentary on what certain men “think” God’s word says, not what it actually says, and oftentimes they bring their doctrines into these works of men, and actually boast of it as being “transdenominational” which means that the errors which they propagate are accepted by the majority of denominations.
v. Here is what is contained in the ESV preface concerning dynamic equivalences . . . “In contrast to the ESV, some Bible versions have followed a “thought for thought” rather than a “word for word” translation philosophy, emphasizing “dynamic equivalence” rather than the “essentially literal” meaning of the original. A “thought for thought” translation is of necessity more inclined to reflect the interpretive opinions of the translator and the influences of contemporary culture.”
vi. Now these types of translations can be helpful in our understanding of difficult parts of the biblical text, but we need to understand what they are (men’s words), not what they claim to be (God’s Word), and where they depart from the original we need to know and we need to understand why they have done so, because biblical faith comes from the Word of God (Rom 10:17), not from the words of men.
D. (v 19)
Jer 36:19 Then the officials said to Baruch, "Go and hide, you and Jeremiah, and let no one know where you are."
1. These government officials (princes) knew the ungodly nature of the king, therefore they told Baruch to get Jeremiah and hide, in order that no harm would come to them.
i. This is reminiscent of the time that the Jews plotted to kill Paul for preaching Jesus as the Christ in Acts 9, and he escaped by a basket at night.
ii. There is a time coming that we may suffer troubles because for our imitating of Christ (1 Cor 11:1), especially in the light of our societies growing lack of tolerance for biblical Christians, for it is written (2 Tim 3:12) . . .
2Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,
iii. Our Master said (Jn 15:18-19) . . .
Joh 15:18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.
Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
iv. Why does the world hate the followers, the imitators of Christ? For the same reason it hated Him (look at Jn 7:7) . . .
Joh 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.
v. Remember Jn 3:19-20. . .
Joh 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Joh 3:20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed (reproved).
vi. But we need to use the wisdom God gave us in order to extend our time on earth, in order that we can serve God and others through preaching, teaching, and living godly lives, shining as lights, preserving as salt. A dead child of God couldn’t have converted many souls in Jeremiah’s time, nor in ours.
vii. Therefore let us be prepared for the “fear” that is oftentimes manifested when the word is brought forth in truth, and exercise “wisdom” on our part, being wise as serpents in those situations (1 Cor 2:15), yet harmless as doves (Mt 10:16), that some may see and hear Christ in us, the hope of glory (Col 1:27) and come (Rev 22:17), drawing closer unto God.
III. THE DECEITFUL REACTIONS BROUGHT FORTH THROUGH DISDAIN FOR THE WORD (Jer 36:20-26)
A. (v 20-22)
Jer 36:20 So they went into the court to the king, having put the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the secretary, and they reported all the words to the king.
Jer 36:21 Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary. And Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king.
Jer 36:22 It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot (hearth) before him.
When the princes first went to the king, they did not bring the scroll, they did show some care for the word, they seemed to know their king very well, but the king sent for the scroll anyway and had it read in his presence.
1. There are some today who want to hear the word, just so they can destroy it by twisting its plain teaching, as did Hymenaeus and Philetus in 2 Tim 2:16-18 who taught that the resurrection was already past, their word is described as gangrene that eats up the faith of others.
i. Today we see a number of plain teachings of the Bible being twisted to many’s destruction, like its teaching concerning marriage, concerning homosexuality, concerning money, concerning authoritative roles, concerning the worship and organization of the church, concerning the reality of heaven and hell, concerning the reality of the creation account, these false doctrines are likened unto gangrene today, eating up the faith of many.
ii. The king’s house had a section which was airy in which he lived in during the warm months, and a heated section in which he resided in the winter months, and it was heated by something likened to an open woodstove (hearth).
B. (v 23)
Jer 36:23 As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a (pen)knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot (hearth), until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot (hearth).
When Jehudi read 3 or 4 columns, the king then took a penknife and cut that portion of the scroll and threw it into the fire, this process continued until it was all consumed.
1. The word translated “leaves” (ASV; KJV) or “columns” (ESV; NASB; NKJV) here is literally “folding doors” (perhaps similar to our closet doors) and it is believed that books as we know them did not exist at this time, but the scriptures were always written in a multi-column format throughout the ages as seen in our bibles today, this is what distinguishes the bible’s format from a normal full page format as seen in most books today.
i. The penknife was probably likened unto today’s exacto knife, it was the scribes knife used for sharpening the reed which was used for writing and to make erasures on the scroll.
2. People have been attempting to destroy or change God’s word throughout time, but as seen with the case of Jehoiakim, God’s word endures, while these men are destroyed, remember God’s warnings concerning His word (Deut 4:2; Pro 30:6; Rev 22:18-19)
i. Satan attempted to change it in the Garden, he only changed “one” word, he said “you shall NOT surely die” (Gen 3:3-4) and it cost mankind its intimate fellowship with God.
ii. The bible was banned, cut away from the common people by the catholic church in the dark ages, it was literally chained to the pulpits in the church, but men like John Wycliffe and William Tyndale gave it back to them in the 14th and 15th centuries, which ultimately brought about that which is referred to as the reformation movement, movement towards the truth, and away from the catholic apostasy; without men such as these, who paid dearly for their efforts, we would not have access to God’s word today. (Wycliffe’s bones were dug up from his grave, burned and cast into a river; 1415; Tyndale was strangled and burned at the stake; 1536).
iii. But today, we have more cleverly disguised Jehoiakims working around us.
iv. We have Jehoiakim critics, they say that much of God’s word is nothing more than the works of men.
v. We have Jehoiakim religions, which cut out any part of God’s word that doesn’t fit the times, or the sins of the people.
vi. We have Jehoiakim translations that teach every false doctrine under the sky.
vii. We have Jehoiakim preachers who cut out everything seemingly abrasive from God’s holy word which may scare some prospects away; hell, judgment, covetousness, adultery, modesty, and selflessness are all pushed aside for love (which is important), power, and success in this world, instead of dying to this world and focusing on the next (Col 3:1-4).
viii. And last of all, and probably the biggest problem of all is we have Jehoiakim hearers and readers of God’s word, they pick to only believe and obey the parts of God’s word that fits into their lives, and ignore or explain away the parts that are too hard, or don’t fit what they want, this type of person is spoken of in Ps 50:16-17 . . .
Psa 50:16 But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips?
Psa 50:17 For you hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you.
ix. We need to remember, it’s not what we want, but what God wills (Mt 26:39), and it will be done! The second one passes from this life the bitter truth will be realized to those that think that God doesn’t mean what He says, these will be like the rich man in Luke 16, he found out the hard way, and said “send someone back, tell them it’s really true!” and he was answered, they have the word, let them hear, believe and obey that (Luke 16:29-31)!
C. (v 24)
Jer 36:24 Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments.
And these men were not the slightest bit fearful of the living God in view what just took place, they, like most today, must not truly believe what God says, surely these men are not suicidal, thus they can’t believe, considering God’s warnings concerning the changing of His word (Deut 4:2-3; Pro 30:6; Rev 22:18-19) . . .
Deu 4:2 You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.
Deu 4:3 Your eyes have seen what the LORD did at Baal-peor, for the LORD your God destroyed from among you all the men who followed the Baal of Peor.
Pro 30:6 Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
Rev 22:18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book,
Rev 22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book.
Today some believe that they can rest assured with some one else’s interpretation on a matter, yet all will stand before God on “His” terms, according to “His” word (Jn 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12), not an interpretation thereof, therefore let us strive to walk in the light of God’s word literally “as it is written” because (Rom 14:12) . . .
Rom 14:12 . . . each one of us shall give account of himself to God.
D. (v 25)
Jer 36:25 Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them.
Here we see 3 men that attempted to stop the king from his evil, they seemed to have the fear of God in their heart, but to no avail;
1. We need more men like these today who are not fearful to tell those in authority that they ought not to do things or command things that are contrary to God’s will, these rightly fear God rather than men (Acts 4:19; 5:29; Lk 12:4-5).
Luk 12:4 "I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do.
Luk 12:5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!
E. (v 26)
Jer 36:26 And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king's son and Seraiah the son of Azriel and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel to seize Baruch the secretary and Jeremiah the prophet, but the LORD hid them.
And just like the princes thought, the king wanted to kill the messengers, yet God had already hidden them through these officials (v 19).
The same is true today as it has been throughout the ages, instead of men believing and obeying God, they often lash out at those that are trying to do what’s best for them, but they just don’t see it that way.
Because of men like the king, many faithful deliverers of God’s word have paid a high price (seemingly); yet they (and we) ought to believe God not men, for it is written (Mt 5:10-12).
Mat 5:10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 5:11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
Mat 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
When we are troubled, hated, for NT teachings we might bring forth in this sin darkened world, we are in reality increasing our reward in heaven, may we always have our hearts and lives focused upon the things above, thinking like God, instead of like men (Mt 16:23).
IV. THE EVER ABIDING NATURE OF THE WORD (Jer 36:27-32).
A. (v 27-28)
Jer 36:27 Now after the king had burned the scroll with the words that Baruch wrote at Jeremiah's dictation, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
Jer 36:28 "Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned.
Here we see the Lord commanding Jeremiah to write another scroll, “heaven and earth shall pass away” one day (Gen 8:22; Mt 24:35; 2 Pet 3:10), but just because a man destroys God’s written word does not mean that the things written therein will not come to pass, for it is written (Mt 24:35).
Mat 24:35 Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.
1. That was the thrust of Jesus’ statement in Mt 24:35, the physical creation will one day cease to exist, but Christ’s words concerning the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and Judaism would come to pass, His words would not pass away unfulfilled.
i. And so all the bibles may be burned in the world, but just like Jesus’ prophecy came to pass, so will every iota of God’s word, for the scripture can’t be broken (Jn 10:35), and all will be judged by it (Jn 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12), whether they have access to it or not.
ii. Yet every time that man attempts to rid the world of the ever abiding, living and active word, it seems to keep cropping up its beautiful, soul saving head, the KJV is a witness to that fact.
iii. There are a ton of perversions in the world today, don’t get me wrong, there is some of the word of God in these translations, but there is also enough of man’s doctrines in there, that if you follow and believe what it says to a tee, it could cost you your soul.
iv. But for almost 400 years the KJV has been the standard by which all others are compared to, and rightly so, it is not perfect, but the errors contained therein will likely not cost you your soul, and it is written in a far more accurate rendition of the English language, the problem is today most don’t have the linguistic knowledge to properly understand it.
v. It has been around for 400 years, and it will probably be around for 400 more, if the Lord doesn’t come first, and those that continue to use older translations (KJV; ASV) because of their lack of denominational bias, will probably be evil spoken of then, even as they are today.
vi. Now don’t get me wrong the NASB, ESV, NKJV are literal word for word translations, and are in modern language (which the Word should be), and I do recommend them over the KJV, but just like we need to know the errors in the KJV, we also need to know the errors in these versions, bottom line “there are no perfect versions”.
3. Let us note that this also teaches us that God does not demand the original copy be available, for He surely could have brought it back from the ashes to which it went.
i. And with man’s tendency to worship physical things, such as seen in the case of Moses’ brazen serpent (2 Ki 18:4), it probably is in God’s plan that no original copies of His word be found today, or any day.
ii. But as long as a word for word copy of God’s message is available, God is satisfied, people can read it, believe it, and obey it, unto eternal life.
B. (v 29-31)
Jer 36:29 And concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah you shall say, 'Thus says the LORD, You have burned this scroll, saying, "Why have you written in it that the king of Babylon will certainly come and destroy this land, and will cut off from it man and beast?"
Jer 36:30 Therefore thus says the LORD concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: He shall have none to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night.
Jer 36:31 And I will punish him and his offspring and his servants for their iniquity. I will bring upon them and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem and upon the people of Judah all the disaster (evil) that I have pronounced against them, but they would not hear.'"
Now concerning the disregard for God’s word and the disobedience of men to it, God considers it very serious business, look at Hosea 4:6 . . .
Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.
1. God’s law, God’s Word is God’s Child, God’s Son (“the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”; Jn 1:1-14), and when the people of Hosea’s day rejected God’s Word, God in turn rejected them and their children, for whatsoever a person sows that shall they also reap (Gal 6:7).
i. What about today when so called Christendom rejects much of God’s word? But they claim to believe in Jesus, yet He is that very Word that they are rejecting, but they can’t even see it because the god of this world (Satan) has blinded them by their own unlawful desires (2 Cor 4:4), they need to subject themselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from them (Ja 4:7).
2. Yet in all this God’s word is all sufficient (2 Tim 3:16-17; 2 Pet 1:3) and self sufficient, for it teaches its true adherents to uphold it as a pillar (1 Tim 3:15), to contend for it (Jude 3), to defend it (Phili 1:16), to teach it according to the pattern (2 Tim 1:13; 2:2), and to believe and obey that pattern unto salvation (Rom 6:17).
i. It also contains warnings at the beginning (Deut 4:2), in the middle (Pro 30:6), and at the end (Rev 22:18-19) concerning the adding to or taking away from it, and here is a historic record of one who tried to do away with it.
ii. Jerusalem ultimately fell to Babylon in 586 BC; it was the final and deciding battle making the fall of Judah complete.
iii. There are some that state that this prophecy concerning Jehoiakim’s son was not fulfilled, seeing that his son was on the throne; But the fact is when his son came to the throne Judah had cease to exist as a sovereign nation, it been in Nebuchadnezzar’s hand for 20 years (606; 597; 586BC), there was actually no nation to rule over, and when Jehoiakim’s son was seated on the throne Jerusalem was immediately taken, besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, and after three months he was deposed, and he was never confirmed by Babylon to be king, under whose rule he was, and Zedekiah who was put in power after him, was Jehoiakim’s brother, not his seed (his son).
iv. And we also see here (v 30) that Jehoiakim would not enjoy a king’s burial, as formerly prophesied by Jeremiah in Jer 22:18-19, where it stated that he would have the burial of a donkey, in other words no funeral as was normal for royalty, we have no evidence that states this didn’t take place.
C. (v 32)
Jer 36:32 Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote on it at the dictation of Jeremiah all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar (like) words were added to them.
Here we see the account of the new scroll being written, with the added prophecies because of the attempted destruction and total disregard for God’s word, this shows us the end of all who attempt to bring God’s word to no account, their demise is assured.
1. We need to consider God’s word as something to be held in reverential fear, also something that when obeyed, brings about great reward (turn to Pro 13:13).
Pro 13:13 Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres (fears) the commandment will be rewarded.
i. For it is by it that we receive the knowledge to be saved (Mk 16:16).
Mar 16:16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieves shall be condemned.
ii. And it is by it that we will all be judged on that Last Day (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12).
Joh 12:48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day.
Rom 2:16 in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened (the books of the Bible): and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books (of the Bible), according to their works.
iii. Let us therefore treasure God’s word as something of such great worth that can not be measured by this world’s standards (as depicted in Ps 119:127-128).
Psa 119:127 Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.
Psa 119:128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.
iv. We need to love what God loves (Jn 3:16), and hate what God hates (Heb 1:9), unto His glory (1 Cor 10:31), therefore being likened unto God (Eph 5:1).
Conclusion,
1) We looked at “the commission and purpose brought forth through the word” (Jer 36:1-10),
Baruch fulfilled his, and thus we also should make God’s truth known to all, that they might hear, believe and obey, so they don’t ask Jesus in their hearts, but rather believe and obey the gospel of Christ from the heart (Rom 6:17-18), the one and only power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16).
2) And then we looked into “the fear and wisdom brought forth through the word” (Jer 35:11-19),
When the princes heard it, they feared, yet let us deliver it in a wise manner in order that we may be able to keep on teaching, preaching, and shining as lights for many years to come.
3) Then we looked at “the deceitful reactions brought forth through disdain for the word” (Jer 36:20-26)
Jehoiakim cut it up and burned it, many do so today in differing ways, through unbalanced preaching, bad versions, and destructive criticism. Are we in our hearts cutting up the word of God and tossing it in the figurative fire? Putting it on the back burner?
4) And lastly we looked at “the ever abiding nature of the word” (Jer 36:27-32). No matter what we do the scripture can’t be broken (Jn 10:35), the word will still be there on that Last Day, it will be that standard which will judge all, by the Judge of all, Christ Jesus the Lord (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12).
5) And His plan of salvation is not to ask Him into your heart, He knows the hearts of all men, He knows what’s in a man (John 2:25), and He doesn’t need permission to examine the work of His hands (Col 1:16), nor is His plan to sprinkle or pour water on unbelieving, unaccountable infants.
6) He has delivered one plan through certain chosen men in the 1st century, and they went about and preached it, people believed it, obeyed it, and were being saved continuing in it. What is it? The same as it has been for almost 2,000 years ago . . .
One is to . . .
Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17)
Rom 10:17 . . . faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
This is how the Father plants the Word within the good ground, the good, honest and open heart
One is to . . .
Believe that Jesus is the crucified, risen and Divine Christ (John 8:24); and that God rewards those that earnestly seek after Him (Heb 11:6), belief (faith) is the crossover point in God’s plan of salvation (Jn 5:24), Jesus said . . .
Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
But God doesn’t want you to stop there, to possess demon like faith (Ja 2:19), one must continue in the Faith
One is to . . .
Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5), repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life,
Jesus stated . . .
Luk 13:3 . . . except you repent, you shall all in like manner perish.
One is to . . .
Confess Jesus as the Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), the eunuch said . . .
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So should you
And you ought to confess Him during your life of service to Him
One is to . . .
Be baptized (immersed), which doth also now save us (1 Pet 3:21), it washes away our sins (Acts 22:16), immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27), into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3), where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34), unto (for the purpose of) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16);
And finally one is to live a holy life unto God (1 Pet 1:15), striving towards perfection as our Father is perfect
(Mt 5:48; Heb 12:23), being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16), through study and application of God’s ever
abiding word (1 Pet 2:2)
1Pe 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:
Putting off that old man, and putting on the new, being constantly in a state of spiritual growth,
Showing forth God’s love through your life as a Christian (only), as the bible teaches . . .
“Doing” the will of the Father in order that you won’t have your name blotted out of that book,
In order that you may be able to enter into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Pet
1:11).