Chapter 36: The Scroll Burned and Rewritten
- Command to Write the Prophecies (Verses 1–3)
- In Jehoiakim’s fourth year, Hashem tells Yirmiyahu:
- Write all the words spoken since Josiah’s reign on a scroll.
- Purpose: Judah might hear, repent, and receive forgiveness.
- Baruch Writes and Reads the Scroll (Verses 4–10)
- Yirmiyahu dictates; Baruch writes the words on a scroll.
- Since Yirmiyahu is confined, Baruch reads the scroll publicly in the Temple during a fast day.
- Location: Chamber of Gemariah, near the new gate.
- Officials Hear and React (Verses 11–19)
- Micaiah reports the reading to royal officials.
- Baruch is summoned; he reads the scroll to them.
- They fear and decide to inform the king.
- They advise Baruch and Yirmiyahu to hide for safety.
- The King Burns the Scroll (Verses 20–26)
- Jehudi reads the scroll to King Jehoiakim.
- The king cuts pieces of the scroll and burns them in the fire.
- Despite pleas from some officials, Jehoiakim ignores them.
- He orders the arrest of Baruch and Yirmiyahu—but Hashem hides them.
- Hashem’s Judgment on Jehoiakim (Verses 27–31)
- Hashem commands Yirmiyahu to rewrite the scroll.
- Prophecy against Jehoiakim:
- No descendant will sit on David’s throne.
- His body will be exposed to heat by day and frost by night.
- Punishment will fall on him, his family, and Jerusalem for ignoring Hashem’s word.
- The Scroll Rewritten with Added Words (Verse 32)
- Yirmiyahu dictates again; Baruch writes all previous words plus additional prophecies.
- Key Lessons
- God’s word cannot be destroyed—even if burned, it returns stronger.
- Defiance against Hashem’s message brings severe consequences.
- Faithful obedience (Baruch and Yirmiyahu) contrasts with arrogant rejection (Jehoiakim).
