← Back to Jeremiah

Jeremiah 36

32 verses

TL;DR

Jeremiah writes a prophetic scroll, which is read publicly to warn Judah; the king burns it, and Jeremiah is commanded to rewrite it, emphasizing divine judgment and mercy.

Summary

In Jeremiah 36, God instructs the prophet Jeremiah to record all His words on a scroll for Judah’s benefit. Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe, writes the scroll and reads it aloud to the people during a public fast, hoping they will repent. The royal officials, after hearing the prophecy, inform King Jehoiakim, who in a sudden act burns the scroll in the royal hearth. Despite the king’s action, the people are not frightened. Jeremiah is then told by God to rewrite the scroll and deliver a renewed warning to the king, emphasizing God’s judgment and promise of mercy if Judah repents.

Outline
  1. Jeremiah writes a prophetic scroll under God’s command and Baruch records it.
  2. Baruch publicly reads the scroll to the people and officials, prompting fear and a warning to the king.
  3. King Jehoiakim burns the scroll, after which God orders Jeremiah to rewrite and deliver a renewed prophetic message.
Themes
Divine judgment and mercy toward IsraelProphetic fidelity amid political oppositionGod’s sovereignty over earthly rulers
Keywords
prophecyjudgmentmercyscrollburningfaithrepentanceprophetic witnesskingfastGod
People
JeremiahBaruch (son of Neriah)Jehoiakim (king of Judah)Josiah (king of Judah)Elishama (scribe)Delaiah (son of Shemaiah)Elnathan (son of Achbor)Gemariah (son of Shaphan)Zedekiah (son of Hananiah)Michaiah (son of Gemariah, son of Shaphan)Jehudi (son of Nethaniah)Jerahmeel (son of Hammelech)Seraiah (son of Azriel)Shelemiah (son of Abdeel)NeriahShaphanNethaniahCushiHananiahAchborShemaiah
Places
Jerusalemhouse of the LORD (Temple)new gate of the LORD’s househigh courtwinterhousechamber of Gemariahchamber of Elishama
Things
roll of a book (scroll)inkpenknifefire on the hearthscroll of prophetic words
Key Verses
  • Jeremiah 36:10: Illustrates the public reading of the scroll, showing the intended impact on Judah’s conscience.
  • Jeremiah 36:23: Depicts the dramatic burning of the scroll, symbolizing royal opposition to God’s message.
  • Jeremiah 36:27: Marks the divine instruction to rewrite the scroll, underscoring God’s enduring purpose despite human destruction.
Questions
  • Why did Jeremiah feel compelled to write the entire message that God gave him, even though he was physically barred from the temple?
  • What might the act of burning the scroll by King Jehoiakim signify about the relationship between the monarchy and prophetic authority?
  • How does the narrative show the balance between divine judgment and the possibility of mercy if Judah turns from sin?
  • In what ways does the story illustrate the role of public proclamation in influencing a nation’s conscience?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter presents both the threat of divine judgment and the hope of mercy, portraying human indifference and divine perseverance.