Jeremiah 36: Bonfire Of The Prophecies

Jeremiah 36 relates a story about Jeremiah and his secretary Baruch that happened during the reign of King Jehoiakim.

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah with the instruction to compile all of his prophetic warnings about the destruction of Judah at the hand of the Babylonians onto a single scroll to be read before the people at the Temple during a fast day.  The Lord reveals that He hopes to prod the people to repentance (vs. 3).

When Jeremiah has this done, there is a stir among the leadership.  They want to know more, and call in Baruch to interview him.  Finally, they bring the report of the scroll to King Jehoiakim himself.  The king commands that the scroll be brought before him and read in his presence.  As it was being read, the king showed his disdain for Jeremiah's message.  "As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a penknife and throw them into the fire in the brazier, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier" (vs. 23).  They made a bonfire of the prophecies of Jeremiah.  Instead of being incited to repentance by his warnings, "Neither the king, nor any of his servants who heard all these words, was alarmed, nor did they tear their garments" (vs. 24).  The king then ordered Jeremiah and Baruch arrested, but the Lord hid them (vs. 26).  Jeremiah was directed to prepare another scroll, which he did.

This story reveals that you cannot suppress the word of the Lord by simply burning it up.  Jehoiakim only sealed his own fate by acting with such malice toward the Lord and His prophet.  God's word must be heeded, not disregarded.