Jeremiah 36

Introduction:

1. The many splinters in the religious world beg the question as to how we came to have so much division and so many divergent, contradictory teachings.

2. Such is clearly against the Lord’s will (Romans 16:17-18; 1 Corinthians 1:10; Galatians 1:6-9; 1 Timothy 1:3; 6:13; 2 John 9-11), so we must seek to resolve the issue.

3. Grasping how people so roundly reject the Lord’s will may help in this effort.

Discussion:

I. Jeremiah’s Commission (36:1-2)

A. Jeremiah’s commission was two-fold:

1. Record the oracles of God (vv. 1-2, 4)

2. Read them before the people in hopes that they will repent (vv. 3, 5-8).

B. The thrust is to present the people God’s will, so they have opportunity to choose.

II. The Reading of the Scroll (36:9-19)

A. A special fast was called (vs. 9).

B. Likely to seek God’s favor in a crisis.

C. The first hearers were alarmed and decided to present this to the king (vv. 11-13, 16-19)

III. Silencing God (36:20-26)

A. The princes tried to protect the scroll (vv. 20, 25).

B. The king had it brought in and read (vs. 21).

C. As Jehudi read, the king cut the scroll up and burnt it (vv. 22-23).

D. Burning the scroll was not enough for Jehoiakim.

E. He wanted to punish Baruch and Jeremiah, but God hid them (vs. 26).

IV. Modern Jehoiakims

A. People still seek to silence God much like Jehoiakim.

B. Some literally burn Bibles.

C. Others use their figurative “penknives” to cut out parts they do not like.

D. Many “theologians” today cut out the supernatural.

E. Many cut out the singularity of Christ’s church.

F. Many cut out the pattern for New Testament worship.

G. Many cut out moral teachings: sobriety, modesty, purity, God’s marriage law, etc.

H. Preachers may cut out hard parts of the Bible.

I. Elders may cut the hard part of church discipline.

J. Husbands often cut out the selfless, self-sacrificial love God demands.

K. Wives often cut out submission to husbands.

L. Parents and children often cut out their familial responsibilities.

M. This list could go on indefinitely, but we see the danger for all who seek to serve the Lord.

Conclusion:

1. Jehoiakim thought he cleverly silenced God.

2. The scroll was reproduced and expanded.

3. God’s word is forever settled in heaven, so we must simply learn and embrace it (Psalms 119:89).

4. By it, we will all be judged one day (John 12:48; Revelation 20:12), making this our greatest responsibility.

5. May we never be found with our “penknives” in hand as we approach the Scriptures.