The Rejection of God’s Word: A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Jeremiah 36

Executive Summary ✨

Jeremiah 36 recounts a pivotal moment in Judah’s history: King Jehoiakim’s brazen rejection of God’s prophetic message, delivered through Jeremiah. This chapter serves as a stark warning against despising divine counsel and emphasizes the enduring power of God’s word. From Jeremiah dictating the scroll to Baruch, to the princes hearing it and warning the scribe, to the king’s contemptuous burning of the scroll, we witness a escalating defiance. Yet, God’s word cannot be extinguished. The chapter concludes with God commissioning a rewritten scroll, containing even harsher judgment. This narrative highlights the consequences of rejecting divine truth and the unwavering faithfulness of God to proclaim His message, offering lessons applicable to us today about humility, obedience, and the unchanging nature of God’s justice.

Jeremiah 36 is a profound chapter illustrating the consequences of rejecting divine prophecy. Jehoiakim’s act of burning the scroll exemplifies a deep-seated rebellion against God’s authority. Through Jeremiah’s unwavering obedience and God’s insistence on rewriting the scroll, we learn that God’s word endures despite opposition. This commentary delves into the chapter’s historical context, theological implications, and practical lessons for Christians today, exploring themes of obedience, judgment, and the enduring power of God’s message. Let us examine how even in the face of rejection, God’s purpose prevails. This is further examined when reading about the benefits of using wordpress hosting, since His message can spread further even if they try to stop it.

Commentary Sections

Jeremiah 36:1-3

Jeremiah 36:1 (KJV): And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying,

Jeremiah 36:1 (NKJV): Now it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, that this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord, saying:

This opening verse sets the scene: the fourth year of Jehoiakim’s reign (around 605 BC), a time of increasing idolatry and disobedience in Judah. Jehoiakim was a king who, unlike his father Josiah, did not walk in the ways of the Lord. The geographical context is Jerusalem, a city soon to face devastating consequences for its rejection of God’s word. The phrase “the word came unto Jeremiah” emphasizes the divine initiative behind the prophetic message. It underscores that Jeremiah was merely a vessel, faithfully conveying God’s will to a rebellious nation.

Spiritual Application: We are called to be like Jeremiah, faithful vessels for God’s word, regardless of the societal climate. We must be willing to speak truth even when it is unpopular, trusting that God’s message will ultimately prevail.

Jeremiah 36:2-3

Jeremiah 36:2 (KJV): Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.

Jeremiah 36:2 (NKJV): “Take a scroll of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah even to this day.”

Jeremiah 36:3 (KJV): It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

Jeremiah 36:3 (NKJV): “Perhaps the house of Judah will hear all the adversity which I purpose to bring upon them, that everyone may turn from his evil way, that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.”

God commands Jeremiah to compile all his previous prophecies onto a scroll. This indicates the weight and comprehensive nature of God’s warnings. The prophecies target not only Israel and Judah but also “all the nations,” reflecting God’s universal sovereignty. The purpose of this scroll is redemptive: “that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” God’s judgment is always tempered with mercy, an invitation to repentance. We read about similar invitations in the deuterocanonical book of Wisdom of Solomon 11:23, “But thou hast mercy upon all; for thou canst do all things, and winkest at the sins of men, because they should amend.”

Spiritual Application: God desires our repentance and offers forgiveness. We should examine our lives, confess our sins, and turn away from evil, embracing God’s mercy.

St. John Chrysostom, commenting on God’s mercy, says: “Οὐ γὰρ θέλει ὁ Θεὸς τὸν θάνατον τοῦ ἁμαρτωλοῦ, ἀλλὰ τὸ ἐπιστρέψαι καὶ ζῆν.” (“For God does not desire the death of the sinner, but that he should turn and live.” – *Homilies on Ezekiel*, Homily 6, PG 70:97).

Jeremiah 36:4-7

Jeremiah 36:4 (KJV): Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.

Jeremiah 36:4 (NKJV): Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah; and Baruch wrote on a scroll of a book, at the instruction of Jeremiah, all the words of the Lord which He had spoken to him.

Jeremiah 36:5 (KJV): And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the Lord:

Jeremiah 36:5 (NKJV): And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, “I am confined, I cannot go into the house of the Lord.

Jeremiah 36:6 (KJV): Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the Lord in the ears of the people in the Lord’s house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

Jeremiah 36:6 (NKJV): “You therefore go, and read from the scroll which you have written at my instruction, the words of the Lord, in the hearing of the people in the Lord’s house on the day of fasting. And also you shall read them in the hearing of all Judah who come from their cities.

Jeremiah 36:7 (KJV): It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath pronounced against this people.

Jeremiah 36:7 (NKJV): “It may be that they will present their supplication before the Lord, and everyone will turn from his evil way; for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord has pronounced against this people.”

Jeremiah enlists Baruch, a loyal scribe, to write down his prophecies. The detail that Baruch “wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah” emphasizes the accuracy and divine origin of the scroll. Jeremiah’s inability to go to the temple highlights potential opposition and restrictions he faced. Baruch is instructed to read the scroll on a fast day when people would be gathered at the temple. This strategic timing aims to maximize the reach of the message and encourage repentance. The hope is that hearing the warnings of impending judgment will prompt genuine supplication and a turning away from evil.

Spiritual Application: We should seek opportunities to share God’s word with others, especially during times of reflection and repentance. We can learn from Baruch’s faithfulness and willingness to serve as a vessel for God’s message.

Jeremiah 36:8-19

Jeremiah 36:8-19 (KJV): [Passage describing Baruch reading the scroll and the princes’ reaction]

Jeremiah 36:8-19 (NKJV): [Passage describing Baruch reading the scroll and the princes’ reaction]

Baruch faithfully carries out Jeremiah’s instructions, reading the scroll to the people in the temple. His obedience is contrasted with the impending disobedience of King Jehoiakim. The princes of Judah, after hearing the scroll, are alarmed by its content and recognize the potential danger to themselves and the nation. They question Baruch about how he wrote the scroll, and he explains it was dictated by Jeremiah. The princes then advise Jeremiah and Baruch to hide, anticipating the king’s negative reaction. This foreshadows the conflict between divine truth and earthly power. The fact that they were “afraid” shows they had some reverence of God.

Spiritual Application: Even in the face of opposition, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to sharing God’s word. The princes’ fear and caution demonstrate a healthy respect for God’s judgment, a sentiment we should cultivate in our own hearts.

The Desert Fathers often spoke of fearing God not as terror, but as reverence. Abba Poemen said, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom” (*Sayings of the Desert Fathers*, Poemen 3).

Jeremiah 36:20-26: Jehoiakim Burns the Scroll 🔥

Jeremiah 36:20-26 (KJV): [Passage describing Jehoiakim burning the scroll and ordering the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch]

Jeremiah 36:20-26 (NKJV): [Passage describing Jehoiakim burning the scroll and ordering the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch]

King Jehoiakim’s reaction is one of utter defiance. As Jehudi reads the scroll, the king cuts off sections and throws them into the fire until the entire scroll is consumed. This act symbolizes his rejection of God’s authority and his refusal to repent. He orders the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch, but “the Lord hid them,” demonstrating God’s protection over his faithful servants. This is a clear picture of human pride attempting to extinguish the word of God, but failing miserably.

Spiritual Application: Jehoiakim’s actions serve as a warning against pride and the rejection of divine truth. We must be careful not to harden our hearts to God’s word, lest we face similar consequences. Remember the words of Psalm 119:89, “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven.”

Jeremiah 36:27-32: The Scroll Rewritten 📖

Jeremiah 36:27-32 (KJV): [Passage describing God’s command to rewrite the scroll and additional prophecies against Jehoiakim]

Jeremiah 36:27-32 (NKJV): [Passage describing God’s command to rewrite the scroll and additional prophecies against Jehoiakim]

Despite Jehoiakim’s attempt to destroy God’s word, God commands Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll, adding even more severe prophecies against the king and Judah. This underscores the futility of trying to suppress divine truth. The rewritten scroll contains additional judgments, specifically targeting Jehoiakim: he will have no one to sit on David’s throne, and his dead body will be cast out, exposed to the elements. This demonstrates the consequences of persistent rebellion and the unwavering nature of God’s justice. The act of rewriting the scroll emphasizes that God’s word cannot be destroyed; it will always find a way to be proclaimed.

Spiritual Application: God’s word is eternal and cannot be silenced. Even in the face of opposition and persecution, we must remain confident in the power of God’s message and continue to share it with others. Consider the words of St. Athanasius: “The mouth of the Lord has said these things; therefore, they are true.” (*Against the Heathen*, 1.3).

Key Reflections on Jeremiah 36 💡

Here are some key takeaways from Jeremiah 36:

• The enduring power of God’s Word: Even when physically destroyed, God’s word remains potent and will be re-established.
• The consequences of rejecting divine truth: Jehoiakim’s fate serves as a warning against hardening our hearts to God’s message.
• The importance of obedience: Jeremiah and Baruch model unwavering obedience to God’s commands.
• God’s protection over His servants: God shields Jeremiah and Baruch from Jehoiakim’s wrath.
• The balance of justice and mercy: God’s judgment is always accompanied by an invitation to repentance.
• The role of faithful witnesses: We are called to be like Jeremiah and Baruch, boldly proclaiming God’s truth, even in the face of opposition.

FAQ ❓

Here are some frequently asked questions about Jeremiah 36:

Q: Why did Jehoiakim burn the scroll?

A: Jehoiakim burned the scroll because he rejected the message of judgment and repentance that it contained. His act was a display of defiance against God’s authority and a refusal to acknowledge his own sin and the sin of the nation. He preferred to remain in his prideful state rather than humble himself before the Lord.

Q: What does Jeremiah 36 teach us about the nature of God’s word?

A: Jeremiah 36 teaches us that God’s word is eternal, powerful, and cannot be destroyed. Even when physically suppressed, it will always find a way to be proclaimed. It reveals God’s nature to be loving and gracious as He gives opportunities to repent, yet also just in punishing defiance.

Q: How can we apply the lessons of Jeremiah 36 to our lives today?

A: We can apply the lessons of Jeremiah 36 by cultivating a humble and receptive attitude towards God’s word. We should be willing to examine our lives, confess our sins, and turn away from evil. We should also be bold in sharing God’s truth with others, even when it is unpopular. Like Jeremiah, we must be prepared to share the gospel, trusting in its power to transform lives.

Q: What is the significance of the scroll being rewritten?

A: The rewriting of the scroll signifies the unstoppable nature of God’s word. It shows that human attempts to suppress divine truth are futile. It further reinforces the consequences of rejecting His truth; in this case, more severe prophecies were added.

Conclusion

Jeremiah 36 is a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of God’s word and the consequences of rejecting it. Jehoiakim’s brazen act of burning the scroll highlights the dangers of pride and disobedience. Through Jeremiah’s faithfulness and God’s unwavering commitment to proclaim His message, we learn that God’s truth will always prevail. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we are called to emulate Jeremiah’s obedience, boldly proclaiming the Gospel, even in the face of opposition, and to embrace the message of repentance and forgiveness offered by our Lord. The lesson of humility and the power of God’s word are especially important for us today, as we navigate a world often hostile to Christian values. Let us learn from the tragic example of Jehoiakim, and instead, let us choose the path of repentance and obedience, embracing the life-giving power of God’s eternal Word. Let us learn to fear the Lord.

Tags

Jeremiah, Jehoiakim, Baruch, Scroll, Prophecy, Judgment, Repentance, Obedience, Coptic Orthodox, Bible Commentary

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Explore a verse-by-verse Coptic Orthodox commentary on Jeremiah 36. Learn about Jehoiakim’s rejection of God’s word and the enduring power of prophecy. Uncover spiritual lessons for today!