Jeremiah 36:20-26: a reflection

20They went in to the king into the court, but they had laid up the scroll in the room of Elishama the scribe. Then they told all the words in the hearing of the king. 21So the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it out of the room of Elishama the scribe. Jehudi read it in the hearing of the king, and in the hearing of all the princes who stood beside the king. 22Now the king was sitting in the winter house in the ninth month, and there was a fire in the brazier burning before him. 23When Jehudi had read three or four columns, the king cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was in the brazier, until all the scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the brazier. 24The king and his servants who heard all these words were not afraid, and didn’t tear their garments. 25Moreover Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the scroll; but he would not listen to them. 26The king commanded Jerahmeel the king’s son, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet; but the LORD hid them.

The scroll containing God's words, written by Jeremiah and Baruch, is read before King Jehoiakim. As the reader finishes each few columns, the king coolly cuts them off with a knife and throws them into the fire, until the whole scroll is consumed. He is not moved to fear or repentance; he simply destroys the word that troubles him. And when some of his officials plead with him not to burn it, he will not listen, and instead orders the arrest of the prophet and his scribe.

The king could burn the scroll, but he could not silence God's word. The very next verses tell how God simply had Jeremiah dictate it again, with even more added. And here, when the king sends men to seize Baruch and Jeremiah, the text notes quietly, but the Lord hid them. The arrogant attempt to destroy God's word and its messengers failed on both counts: the word could not be burned out of existence, and the servants could not be found.

People still try, in various ways, to cut up and burn the word of God, to silence, dismiss, or destroy what convicts them. This account assures you that they cannot succeed. God's word endures every attempt to be rid of it, and God protects his servants in his own time and way. When you see the truth of God mocked or attacked, do not despair. The scroll can be burned, but the word remains, and the God who hid Jeremiah and Baruch still watches over his own.

Lord, a king burned your word column by column, but he could not destroy it, and he could not find your servants, for you hid them. When I see your truth mocked or attacked, keep me from despair. Your word endures every attempt to silence it, and you watch over your own. Give me confidence in the word that cannot be burned away, and in the God who protects those who serve him. Amen.