Jeremiah 36:1 - Meaning and Application

At the beginning of Ezekiel’s prophecy, we meet a scroll that was written in vision, so the prophet himself could learn and absorb what it contained (Ezekiel 2:9, 10; 3:1). Here, near the end of Jeremiah’s prophecy, we meet a scroll that was written in real life, so the people could hear what it said and pay attention. Both the written word and good books are very useful, both for ministers and for ordinary people.

God commanded Jeremiah to write down a summary of his preaching, including all the warnings and rebukes he had given in the Lord’s name since he first began preaching in the thirteenth year of Josiah, all the way to the fourth year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah (Jeremiah 36:2, 3). What had only been spoken now had to be written, so it could be reviewed, spread farther, and kept longer. What had been preached at length, with repeated reminders, was now to be shortened and gathered into less space, so the different parts could be compared more easily.

What the people had heard once was to be repeated, so they could remember what they had forgotten and feel again what had not touched them the first time. What may already have been written and shared in separate sermons was to be collected into one scroll, so nothing would be lost. This shows that Scripture itself was written by God’s appointment.

The reason given for writing this scroll is also important: “It may be” the house of Judah will hear (Jeremiah 36:3). This does not mean God was unsure about what would happen. He knew they would act treacherously (Isaiah 48:8). But in his wisdom, he directed Jeremiah to use this means because it was the right way to seek the desired result, and if it failed, the people would be more without excuse.

Even though God knew they would not listen, he did not tell Jeremiah that. Instead, he gave him a method that might work, in hope that they would hear, meaning they would really pay attention, take notice, and believe what they heard. Otherwise, hearing the word would do us no good, even if an angel from heaven were the one reading or preaching it.

The first hope is that they would hear “all the evil” God planned to bring on them. Thinking seriously about the sure and terrible results of sin can do much to turn us to God. The second hope is that they would hear in order “to turn every one from his evil way.” That is what ministers should aim at in preaching. People hear in vain if they do not come away changed. Why listen to the evil God warns about if we keep doing evil anyway?

The third point is the great benefit of their hearing and turning: “that I may forgive their iniquity.” This shows the honor of God’s justice. He does not forgive sin apart from repentance and turning from sin. It also shows the greatness of his mercy. He is ready to forgive and only waits for sinners to come into the right place to receive that forgiveness. That is why he uses many means to bring us to repentance, so he may forgive.

Jeremiah then gave instructions to Baruch, his scribe, and the scroll was written accordingly (Jeremiah 36:4). God told Jeremiah to write, but it seems Jeremiah did not write as fast or as neatly as Baruch could, so he used him as his writer. The apostle Paul also wrote only a few of his letters with his own hand (Galatians 6:11; Romans 16:22). God gives his gifts in different ways. Some people are gifted in speaking, and others in writing, and neither should say to the other, “I do not need you” (1 Corinthians 12:21).

The Spirit of God gave the message to Jeremiah, and Jeremiah passed it on to Baruch. Baruch had already served Jeremiah as trustee in the purchase of the field (Jeremiah 32:12), and now he was raised to serve as his scribe and helper in his prophetic work. If the apocryphal book that bears Baruch’s name can be trusted, he later became a prophet to the captives in Babylon. Those who begin in a low place are often raised higher, and it is good for future prophets to learn under prophets and serve them faithfully.

Baruch wrote what Jeremiah dictated on a scroll made of sheets of parchment or vellum joined together end to end, forming one long roll, perhaps wrapped around a staff. Jeremiah then told Baruch to read what he had written to the people. Jeremiah himself was shut out and could not go to the house of the Lord (Jeremiah 36:5). He was not a prisoner locked in a cell, since officers still had to be sent later to arrest him (Jeremiah 36:26), but he was banned by the king from appearing at the temple.

That kept him away from the place where he might have been serving God and doing good, which was as painful to him as being shut in a dungeon. Jehoiakim was rushing toward ruin when he silenced God’s faithful messengers like this. But when Jeremiah could not go to the temple, he sent someone else in his place to read to the people what he would have said himself. Paul did the same sort of thing when he wrote letters to churches he could not visit in person.

In fact, this was what Jeremiah had often said to the people before. Writing down sermons and reading them again can greatly help accomplish the purpose of preaching. What we have heard and already know is still good for us to hear again, so we may know it better. To preach and write the same truth is safe, useful, and often necessary (Philippians 3:1). We should be glad to hear a good word from God, even if we hear it secondhand.

Both ministers and people must do what they can when they cannot do what they would like. Notice that when God ordered the scroll to be read, he said, “It may be they will hear and turn from their evil ways” (Jeremiah 36:3). When Jeremiah gave the order, he said, “It may be they will pray,” meaning they would bring their pleas before the Lord, “and will turn from their evil way.” Prayer for grace to turn is necessary if we are to turn at all. Those who are convinced by God’s word that they must return to him will bring their requests to him for that grace.

Thinking about the great anger God has spoken against sin should stir up both our prayers and our efforts. So, according to these instructions, Baruch read from the book the words of the Lord whenever there was a holy gathering (Jeremiah 36:8).