What happensPermalink
In Jehoiakim’s fourth year, God tells Jeremiah to record his prophecies so Judah might hear, repent, and be forgiven. Jeremiah dictates to Baruch, who later reads the scroll at the temple. Alarmed officials report to the king and tell Jeremiah and Baruch to hide. Hearing the scroll, Jehoiakim cuts off sections and burns them despite pleas to stop, then orders Jeremiah and Baruch arrested. God hides them, pronounces judgment on Jehoiakim, and commands Jeremiah to dictate the scroll again. Many similar words are added.
Why it mattersPermalink
Jehoiakim’s contempt continues the portrait of injustice in chapter 22. His response also contrasts with Josiah’s humility before the law in 2 Kings 22. Burning the scroll becomes a public rejection of God’s warning. Yet the word survives the king’s attack, and the rewritten scroll carries further testimony against him.
Key versePermalink
Take another scroll and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah has burned.