Cutting and Burning the Word of God

Scripture References

Primary text

• Jeremiah 36
• Jeremiah 37

Other references

• Romans 8
• Romans 16:22

Overview

Jeremiah 36–37 records two sharply different royal responses to God’s Word. Jehoiakim literally sliced and burned the scroll Baruch read, symbolically rejecting God Himself; Zedekiah, though still disobedient, feared the message enough to keep Jeremiah alive. Through these scenes the preacher stressed the indestructibility of Scripture—people may cut pages or burn copies, yet the living Word stands forever and will accomplish God’s purposes.

Main Points

God orders a written scroll (36:1-3)

• Fourth year of Jehoiakim—shortly before or after Babylon’s first invasion.
• Jeremiah must compile every prophecy since Josiah’s reign so Judah can hear, repent, and be spared judgment.
• Written words carry weight; they can be revisited and spread beyond the prophet’s voice.

Baruch the scribe writes and reads (36:4-10)

• Baruch, a professional scribe, records Jeremiah’s dictation.
• Because Jeremiah is banned from the temple, Baruch reads the scroll publicly on a fast day when crowds from every city are gathered.
• Repetition is vital; the preacher suggested Baruch likely read it again the following year.

Nobles alarmed, the king enraged (36:11-26)

• A noble named Micaiah hears Baruch and reports to fellow officials.
• Officials fear both God’s warning and the king’s reaction; they question Baruch to confirm Jeremiah is the true author, then hide the scroll and summon the king.
• Jehoiakim listens from his winter room. After every three-four columns he slices the parchment with the scribe’s knife and drops the pieces into the brazier until the entire scroll is ash.
  • Illustration: People still “cut” Scripture today—denying miracles, redefining morality, isolating one Gospel from another—before they finally “burn” the parts they dislike.
• Some officials plead with the king to stop; most remain silent. Jehoiakim orders Jeremiah and Baruch arrested, but “the Lord hid them.”

God rewrites and enlarges the message (36:27-32)

• The Lord tells Jeremiah, “Take yet another scroll.” Every word is rewritten—and “many similar words” are added, including a specific judgment: Jehoiakim’s body will lie exposed and none of his sons will reign.
• Burning pages cannot extinguish divine truth; it only confirms and multiplies it.

Warnings and stories that prove the text endures

• Emperor Diocletian burned thousands of Bibles; a generation later the next emperor ordered fifty new copies.
• Torn Bible pages used as shop wrapping spread Scripture through a whole village.
• Vietnamese believer Hien Thi faced despair in prison until he found Romans 8 being used as toilet paper; the passage revived his faith and sparked evangelism in the camp.

Transition to Zedekiah and a different crisis (37:1-21)

• Fifteen years later Nebuchadnezzar installs Zedekiah. He and the people still ignore Jeremiah’s words.
• During a temporary lift in the Babylonian siege (Egypt marches north), Zedekiah secretly asks Jeremiah, “Is there any word from the Lord?”

  “There is… You shall be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

• Jeremiah is falsely accused of desertion, beaten, and thrown into a dungeon. He petitions the king for humane conditions; Zedekiah moves him to the courtyard prison and grants daily bread until supplies fail.
• Lesson: Even while persecuted, God’s servants may rightly seek relief, and authorities are accountable for how they treat God’s messengers.

Key Truths

• God’s Word is living, permanent, and cannot be destroyed by physical means.
• Written Scripture invites continual hearing, reflection, and repentance.
• Rejecting or selectively editing Scripture is ultimately a rejection of God Himself.
• When truth is opposed, God simply speaks again—often louder and with greater detail.
• Courageous advocacy for persecuted believers is part of honoring God’s Word.

Response

• Honor the whole counsel of Scripture; resist the urge to “cut” uncomfortable sections.
• Read and re-read God’s Word aloud; let repetition shape belief and behavior.
• When you see hostility toward Scripture, speak up with respectful conviction.
• Support and pray for imprisoned believers who suffer for proclaiming the Bible.
• Seek legitimate avenues for justice and relief when you or others are persecuted.

Closing

Jehoiakim’s knife and fire could not silence God; the scroll only returned, larger than before. Today the same Word still calls for repentance and promises life to those who heed it. To dismiss or mutilate Scripture is to invite judgment; to receive it is to find unshakable hope—no matter how fierce the opposition.

Prayer

The pastor closed by asking God to remember imprisoned Christians—especially Pastor Saeed in Iran—asking for protection, improved conditions, bold witness, and eventual release, while also requesting courage for believers who may face similar trials.