Baruch Writes Jeremiah's Prophecies on a Scroll
God graciously preserves and proclaims His word in order to call sinners to repentance before judgment comes.
Jeremiah 36:1-8 (BSB)
1 In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
2 “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you during the reign of Josiah until today.
3 Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about all the calamity I plan to bring upon them, each of them will turn from his wicked way. Then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.”
4 So Jeremiah called Baruch son of Neriah, and at the dictation of Jeremiah, Baruch wrote on a scroll all the words that the LORD had spoken to Jeremiah.
5 Then Jeremiah commanded Baruch, “I am restricted; I cannot enter the house of the LORD;
6 so you are to go to the house of the LORD on a day of fasting, and in the hearing of the people you are to read the words of the LORD from the scroll you have written at my dictation. Read them in the hearing of all the people of Judah who are coming from their cities.
7 Perhaps they will bring their petition before the LORD, and each one will turn from his wicked way; for great are the anger and fury that the LORD has pronounced against this people.”
8 So Baruch son of Neriah did everything that Jeremiah the prophet had commanded him. In the house of the LORD he read the words of the LORD from the scroll.
What is the big idea of Jeremiah 36:1-8?
God graciously preserves and proclaims His word in order to call sinners to repentance before judgment comes.
How does Jeremiah 36:1-8 point to Christ?
Jeremiah’s written warnings demonstrate God’s desire that sinners hear His word and turn from evil. The gospel reveals the fullest expression of this mercy in Christ, through whom forgiveness is offered to all who repent and believe.
How does Jeremiah 36:1-8 relate to the life and ministry of Jesus?
The written and proclaimed word anticipates the ministry of Christ, who proclaimed the word of God with authority and called people to repentance. Jesus embodies the living Word, bringing the ultimate message of salvation.
Authorial Intent
To record the LORD’s command for Jeremiah to write the prophetic words of judgment on a scroll so that Judah might hear and turn from their evil ways.
Literary Context
Jeremiah 36 begins the narrative of the scroll of Jeremiah. This passage records the initial command to write the prophetic message and the public reading of the scroll through Baruch’s ministry.
Historical Context
The Lord commands Jeremiah to record his prophecies in written form during the reign of Jehoiakim.
Chapter: Jeremiah 36
The Scroll Written, Read, Cut, Burned, and Written Again
Jehoiakim can cut and burn the scroll, but he cannot destroy the word of the LORD; the rejected word is rewritten, expanded, and fulfilled in judgment.