The Power of God’s Word in Jeremiah 36

Introduction: Jeremiah 36 demonstrates the power of God’s word and the consequences of rejecting it. In this chapter, we see the prophet Jeremiah delivering a message of judgment to King Jehoiakim and the people of Judah, only to be met with resistance and hostility. Despite the opposition, Jeremiah remains faithful to his calling, and the chapter is a reminder to the faithful, of the importance of obedience to God’s word.

I. Jeremiah 36:1-3: Jeremiah’s Commission
In these verses, God commands Jeremiah to write down all the prophecies he has spoken against Judah and Jerusalem on a scroll. The purpose of this is to give the people of Judah a chance to hear the words of judgment and turn from their wicked ways. Cross reference verses: 2 Peter 1:20-21, which emphasizes the importance of God’s word being inspired by the Holy Spirit.

II. Jeremiah 36:4-8: Baruch Writes the Scroll
Jeremiah dictates the words to his scribe, Baruch, who writes them down on a scroll. Baruch is then instructed to read the scroll to the people in the temple on a day of fasting. Cross reference verses: 2 Timothy 3:16, which speaks to the inspiration of Scripture and its usefulness for teaching and correction.

III. Jeremiah 36:9-19: The Scroll is Read to the Officials
Baruch reads the scroll to the officials, who are alarmed by its contents and decide to report it to the king. They recognize the seriousness of the message and the need for the king to hear it. Cross reference verses: Acts 17:11, which commends the Bereans for receiving the word with eagerness and examining the Scriptures.

IV. Jeremiah 36:20-26: The King’s Rejection
King Jehoiakim rejects the message of the scroll and has it burned, showing his contempt for God’s word. This act of defiance ultimately leads to his downfall. Cross reference verses: Hebrews 4:12, which speaks to the power of God’s word and its ability to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

V. Jeremiah 36:27-32: Jeremiah Rewrites the Scroll
God commands Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll, and he does so, adding even more words of judgment. This shows that God’s word cannot be silenced or destroyed. Cross reference verses: Matthew 24:35, which assures us that God’s word will never pass away.

Conclusion: Jeremiah 36 reminds the believer of the consequences of rejecting God’s word. Despite opposition and hostility, Jeremiah remains faithful to his calling, and the chapter shows us the importance of obedience to God’s word. As faithful followers of Jesus, we must be careful to understand the message and strive to live in accordance with God’s will, knowing that His word is powerful and will endure forever. As the Bible tells us in Matthew 24:35, heaven and earth may pass away, but God’s word never will.