The Indestructible Word (4)

Pray Psalm 12.6, 7.
The words of the LORD are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.
You shall keep them, O LORD,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.

Sing Psalm 12.6, 7.
(Hamburg: When I Survey)
Your words are pure and proven true,
like silver seven times refined;
You will preserve Your Word ever new,
and keep the heart to You inclined.

Read and meditate on Jeremiah 36.20-32.

Prepare.
1. Why did Jehoiakim burn Jeremiah’s scroll?

2. How did the Lord respond to this act?

Meditate.
Having heard the reading of the scroll, and struck with fear at what they heard, the princes of Judah went straight to King Jehoiakim to report what they had heard; but they did not bring the scroll with them (v. 20).

The king sent an aide to fetch the scroll and have it read before him (vv. 21, 22). In a fit of rage, Jehoiakim slashed the scroll with a knife and threw it into the fire (v. 23). If there was any doubt in anyone’s mind concerning how Jehoiakim felt about the Word of God, this action removed it. Jehoiakim hated the Word. He would not hear it, and he would make sure no one else did, either.

Like the secularists of our day, who fervently believe that any public square – schools, courts, legislatures, universities – is no place for the Word of God, Jehoiakim sought to silence and be done with God’s Word. Which is yet just one more measure of his hubris and stupidity.

The people did not fear to see the Word of God destroyed before their eyes, anymore than unbelievers today fear to have it removed from the public square (v. 24). The few who tried to stop this outrage (v. 25) were ignored. And just for good measure, Jehoiakim ordered that Jeremiah and Baruch be detained. However, the Lord had hidden them from him (v. 26).

God’s Word is unchanged, even though it is ignored, scorned, and even destroyed. He reiterated His Word of judgment against Jehoiakim, and He instructed Jeremiah and Baruch to prepare another scroll, containing everything that had been written before and then some (vv. 27-32).

If your Bible were to be confiscated today, how much of it could you recall or reproduce? Enough to feed your soul for an indefinite period? Enough to encourage and comfort your Christian friends? We need to feed with delight on God’s Word (Jer. 15.16), hide it in our hearts daily (Ps. 119.9-11), and let it dwell richly within us (Col. 3.16). Because when push comes to shove in our lives – whether in some personal trial or by dint of some government action – we’ll need to have that Word to comfort, equip, embolden, and encourage us.

Reflect.
1. Why did Jehoiakim try to destroy God’s Word? Why do people do so today?

2. Why is it important that we feed on God’s Word daily?

3. What can you do to hide more of God’s Word in your heart? Why should you do so?

The God of all orders Jeremiah to write the former words in another book. The sheet of paper was burned, but the divine law remained unharmed. So also when the body assumed by the Word suffered, the Word remained free from suffering. Theodoret of Cyr (393-466), On Jeremiah 7.36

Thank You for Your Word, O Lord! Help me daily to feed on it, so that I…

Pray Psalm 12.1-5, 8.
Pray for our times, when the Word of God is regarded with contempt and indifference. Pray that God will renew His people in His Word.

Sing Psalm 12.1-5, 8.
Psalm 12.1-5, 8 (Hamburg: When I Survey)
Help, Lord! The godly cease to be.
They who believe in Christ are few.
Falsely the wicked confidently
flatter, deceive, and mock Your truth.

Stop, Lord, the lips that utter lies,
all those who speak with boasting tongue!
See how Your holy Word they despise,
while their own praises they have sung.

Rise up, O Lord, and rescue all
Your precious children sore distressed.
Save those who faithfully on You call;
grant them deliv’rance, peace, and rest.

Proudly the wicked strut and stand;
Your indignation builds on high;
Men may exalt their wicked plans,
but You will judge them by and by.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006). All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (available by clicking here).