August 7

Jeremiah 36

Have you ever completed a long, difficult task and then found out you had to do it all over again? It's definitely frustrating, to say the least! At least once in my life, I've had to type a paper over again because my computer didn't save the document. Today at work, Chuck wrapped up a 600 pound professional range and managed to get into the back of his truck, because we were told someone was coming today to pick it up. Afterward, we found out that they're not coming until Monday! So, he had to get the range out of truck and he has to do it all over again on Monday morning. He was definitely frustrated at the idea of having to redo all his work.

God instructed Jeremiah to write down all the words He has spoken to him. Jeremiah dictated all the words of the Lord and Baruch wrote them down. This was definitely a long, tedious task and I'm sure both Jeremiah and Baruch were relieved to be done. Unfortunately, after king Jehoiakim hears the words of the scroll, he burned it in a firepot. He also commanded that Jeremiah and Baruch be arrested, but God protected them. Then they had to write the scroll all over again.

God was furious with Jehoiakim for burning the scroll. Jer 36: 29-31 say, "'This is what the LORD says: You burned that scroll and said, "Why did you write on it that the king of Babylon would certainly come and destroy this land and cut off both men and animals from it?" Therefore, this is what the LORD says about Jehoiakim king of Judah: He will have no one to sit on the throne of David; his body will be thrown out and exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night. I will punish him and his children and his attendants for their wickedness; I will bring on them and those living in Jerusalem and the people of Judah every disaster I pronounced against them, because they have not listened.' " The king was punished for having complete lack of respect for Jeremiah's work and lack of reverence towards God's holy word.