Dr. McKellar’s Lesson for August 6, 2023

But They Would Not Hear

Jeremiah 36:1-32

1. Background

• impending Babylonian conquest, 4th year of King Jehoiakim, 20+ years of Jeremiah’s ministry

2. Scroll Read to the Public 1-10

• take a scroll and write and Baruch the scribe
• scroll read on a fast day: repetition of motivation

3. Scroll Read to the Officials 11-19

• cabinet officials of the king
• Baruch reads and the officials tremble
• expression of concern for safety

4. Scroll Read to the King 20-26

• the scroll cut and thrown into the fire: absence of fear and expression of defiance
• contrast to his father, Josiah (2 Kings 22:11)
• concern justified

5. A Second Edition Scroll 27-32

• a second scroll with additional information
• a prophet unharmed, a king judged, the word confirmed

6. So What?

• Because God’s word endures forever, let its warnings lead you to Jesus.
• connection to Christ: Matt. 23:37-39, Col. 2:13-14
• “No one ever spoke more plainly of the penalties of sin than did Christ. The authoritative revelation of the consequences of wrongdoing is an integral part of the gospel.” (Maclaren)
• “Your word says I’m forgiven. Your covenant says You will always be with me. Though some may scoff and write me off, Your word will be the last word.” (T. Walker, “Your Word Will Be the Last Word”)
• The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isa. 40:8)