What is the purpose of God’s Word? (Jer 36:1-19)

A few years ago, there was an initiative in my church to read through the Bible in one year. The plan involved reading several chapters each weekday (weekends allowed for catch-up). Afterwards, many commented on the way reading large chunks of the Bible in one go allowed for a bird’s eye view and on opportunity to make connections between books, as well as get the overarching story of God’s salvation. Going through a biblical book in one sitting is another way to allow God’s Word to impact us. I particularly recall reading through Jeremiah one Sunday afternoon when I was a novice Old Testament lecturer about to teach on the book. When I finished, I remember just sitting for a while like we sometimes do after a particularly moving film or novel. The cumulative effect of the message went deeper because I immersed myself in its flow.

The purpose of God’s Word

Writing down all his prophecies has a similar purpose for Jeremiah. It is a concerted effort to make an impact and bring about change. The fourth year of Jehoiakim (Jer 36:1; 605 BC) is a turning point because Babylon becomes the dominant power that year and its new king, Nebuchadnezzar (Jer 25:1-3) will eventually take Judah into exile.[1] There are only eighteen years left for Judah, so the stakes are high and as always, even when God’s Word is about judgment, its purpose is to save (perhaps Judah will hear and repent; Jer 36:3). Not only that, but God’s Word can also go where the prophet cannot (Jeremiah was possibly barred from the Temple precinct after his trial when he was almost executed; Jer 26:11; 36:5). It is uncertain how long it took to write the book, but the opportunity for its public reading came next year in November-December (Jer 36:9). Fast days were called to seek God in times of national calamity (famine, enemy attack), so – whatever the cause in this case – the moment was ripe to hear God’s Word.

Varied responses

Baruch, an educated scribe whose brother would later serve king Zedekiah as quartermaster (Jer 51:59; 36:4), clearly has connections to the leading elite. He uses the chamber of Gemariah the scribe, open on one side to the Temple courtyard, where Jeremiah’s book is read to the public (Jer 36:10). The silence on the people’s reaction, however, is deafening. There is someone, though, who understands the significance of the words. Micaiah is the son of the scribe whose chamber is used for the public reading and grandson of Shaphan (Jer 36:11). A generation earlier, Shaphan read the Book of the Law, a scroll found in the temple during a renovation project, to the present king’s father, Josiah (2 Kings 22:8-10). Now the grandson boldly interrupts a meeting of royal officials to bring news of another scroll. In the room are, among others, his own father, Gemariah, as well as the king’s father-in-law, Elnathan (Jer 36:12; 2 Kings 24:6, 8). They take him seriously enough to call Baruch and their response to the message is fear (Jer 36:16). Whatever the motivation for the fear (dread of punishment or of offending the Lord), they courageously decide to bring the scroll to the king, even though they anticipate the royal response (why else counsel Baruch to hide along with Jeremiah? Jer 36:19). It is a brave move when they may be tarred with the same brush as the prophet.

Genuine seeking and courage

Our reading encourages us to engage with God’s Word not only in piecemeal fashion but in its broader sweep and allow it to have an impact on us. Coming to God with hearts prepared to listen with an attitude of humility in seeking Him (like Judah was meant to do on fast days) is key, but their example shows that even in such circumstances it is possible to go through the motions without seeking God from the heart. For those who handle God’s Word (like Jeremiah, Baruch and the officials here), it is a challenge to be faithful in bringing the message that the Lord intends and speaking up for God’s truth when the response may be negative. Yet, more than anything, this passage highlights God’s love and concern for His people: He wants them to turn (repent) and be saved.   

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[1] Assyria was on the decline at this time. Babylon fought the region’s two superpowers, Assyria and Egypt, at Carchemish (on the border of modern-day Turkey and Syria) in 605 BC and from this date Babylon’s ascendency was assured.

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