Jeremiah 36:1
In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD:
In the fourth year of Jehoiakim
This phrase sets the historical context for the events described in Jeremiah 36. Jehoiakim was a king of Judah, and his reign is marked by a period of political turmoil and spiritual decline. The "fourth year" refers to a specific time around 605 BC, a pivotal moment when Babylon was asserting dominance over the region. This was a time when the people of Judah were facing the consequences of their disobedience to God. The Hebrew root for "Jehoiakim" means "Yahweh raises up," which is ironic given his resistance to God's messages through Jeremiah. This phrase reminds us of the importance of leadership that aligns with God's will.

son of Josiah
Josiah was one of the last righteous kings of Judah, known for his reforms and efforts to return the nation to the worship of Yahweh. The mention of Jehoiakim as the "son of Josiah" highlights the contrast between the two kings. Josiah's legacy was one of faithfulness, while Jehoiakim's reign was characterized by rebellion against God. This serves as a reminder of the impact of generational faithfulness and the responsibility of each generation to uphold God's standards.

king of Judah
The title "king of Judah" signifies the political and spiritual authority Jehoiakim held over the southern kingdom. Judah was the remnant of the once-united Israelite kingdom, and its kings were expected to lead the people in covenant faithfulness to God. However, Jehoiakim's reign was marked by idolatry and injustice, leading to the nation's decline. This phrase underscores the theme of accountability for those in positions of leadership and the consequences of failing to lead according to God's commands.

this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the message Jeremiah is about to deliver. The Hebrew word for "word" (דָּבָר, davar) often signifies a powerful, active communication from God, not just a passive message. The phrase "from the LORD" (יהוה, Yahweh) indicates that the message is authoritative and demands attention. Jeremiah, as a prophet, serves as a conduit for God's voice, highlighting the role of prophets in calling people back to covenant faithfulness. This reminds us of the importance of heeding God's word and the role of divine revelation in guiding our lives.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his perseverance and faithfulness amidst persecution.

2. Jehoiakim
The son of Josiah and king of Judah during this time. His reign was marked by disobedience to God and political turmoil.

3. Josiah
The father of Jehoiakim and a former king of Judah, known for his reforms and efforts to return Judah to the worship of Yahweh.

4. Judah
The southern kingdom of Israel, which was facing impending judgment due to its persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.

5. The LORD
The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who communicates His will and judgment through His prophets.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
Jeremiah 36:1 reminds us of the importance of listening to God's word. Just as Judah faced consequences for ignoring God's commands, we too must heed His instructions in our lives.

God's Sovereignty
The passage underscores God's control over history. Despite human rebellion, God's plans and purposes will prevail.

The Role of Prophets
Prophets like Jeremiah were chosen to deliver God's messages, often in difficult circumstances. We are called to be faithful messengers of God's truth in our own contexts.

Historical Context Matters
Understanding the historical and cultural background of biblical texts enriches our comprehension and application of Scripture.

Repentance and Hope
Even in the face of judgment, God offers opportunities for repentance and restoration. We should always seek to turn back to God and encourage others to do the same.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the historical context of Jehoiakim's reign influence our understanding of Jeremiah 36:1?

2. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in the events described in Jeremiah 36:1 and the surrounding chapters?

3. How can we apply the lessons of obedience and disobedience from Jeremiah's time to our personal lives today?

4. What role do modern-day "prophets" or messengers of God's word play in our communities, and how can we support them?

5. How does the theme of repentance in Jeremiah's message connect with New Testament teachings on repentance and forgiveness?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 23-24
Provides historical context for Jehoiakim's reign and the political and spiritual climate of Judah.

Jeremiah 1
Details Jeremiah's calling and the divine authority behind his prophetic ministry.

2 Chronicles 36
Chronicles the events leading to the Babylonian exile, highlighting the consequences of Judah's disobedience.

Deuteronomy 28
Outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, which frame the backdrop of Jeremiah's prophecies.
Vicarious Ministry in Holy ThingsA.F. Muir Jeremiah 36:1-8
Hearers of God's WordS. Conway Jeremiah 36:1-32
People
Abdeel, Achbor, Azriel, Baruch, Cushi, David, Delaiah, Elishama, Elnathan, Gemariah, Hammelech, Hananiah, Jehoiakim, Jehudi, Jerahmeel, Jeremiah, Josiah, Micah, Micaiah, Michaiah, Neriah, Nethaniah, Seraiah, Shaphan, Shelemiah, Shemaiah, Zedekiah
Places
Babylon, Jerusalem, New Gate
Topics
Fourth, Jehoiakim, Jehoi'akim, Jeremiah, Josiah, Josi'ah, Judah, Pass, Saying
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Jeremiah 36:1-4

     1431   prophecy, OT methods

Library
Jeremiah's Roll Burned and Reproduced
'Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch ... who wrote therein ... all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire, and there were added besides unto them many like words.'--JER. xxxvi. 32. This story brings us into the presence of the long death agony of the Jewish monarchy. The wretched Jehoiakim, the last king but two who reigned in Jerusalem, was put on the throne by the King of Egypt, as his tributary, and used by him as a buffer to bear the brunt
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
[Sidenote: Analogies between the influences that produced the two Testaments] Very similar influences were at work in producing and shaping both the Old and the New Testaments; only in the history of the older Scriptures still other forces can be distinguished. Moreover, the Old Testament contains a much greater variety of literature. It is also significant that, while some of the New Testament books began to be canonized less than a century after they were written, there is clear evidence that
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament

On the Interpretation of Scripture
IT is a strange, though familiar fact, that great differences of opinion exist respecting the Interpretation of Scripture. All Christians receive the Old and New Testament as sacred writings, but they are not agreed about the meaning which they attribute to them. The book itself remains as at the first; the commentators seem rather to reflect the changing atmosphere of the world or of the Church. Different individuals or bodies of Christians have a different point of view, to which their interpretation
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

The Secret of Its Greatness
[Illustration: (drop cap G) The Great Pyramid] God always chooses the right kind of people to do His work. Not only so, He always gives to those whom He chooses just the sort of life which will best prepare them for the work He will one day call them to do. That is why God put it into the heart of Pharaoh's daughter to bring up Moses as her own son in the Egyptian palace. The most important part of Moses' training was that his heart should be right with God, and therefore he was allowed to remain
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

The Essay which Brings up the Rear in this Very Guilty Volume is from The...
The Essay which brings up the rear in this very guilty volume is from the pen of the "Rev. Benjamin Jowett, M.A., [Fellow and Tutor of Balliol College, and] Regius Professor of Greek in the University of Oxford,"--"a gentleman whose high personal character and general respectability seem to give a weight to his words, which assuredly they do not carry of themselves [143] ." His performance is entitled "On the Interpretation of Scripture:" being, in reality, nothing else but a laborious denial of
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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