Jeremiah 36:27
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Jeremiah 36:27
27 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
Chapter Context
Jeremiah 36 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of fellowship, prayer, truth. Written during the final years of Judah and early exile (c. 627-580 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Prophesied during Judah's final years as Babylon became the dominant power.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-32: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it establishes important theological principles that resonate throughout Scripture. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Jeremiah and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Jeremiah 36:27
27 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying,
Analysis
Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, The emphatic the word of the LORD came (wayehi devar-YHWH, וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה) immediately following the scroll's destruction demonstrates that God's word cannot be silenced by human opposition. The king burned the megillah (scroll), but the davar (word, message, revelation) continues uninterrupted. This distinction is crucial: the physical medium may be destroyed, but the divine message remains vital and active.
The phrase which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah (asher katav Baruch mippi Yirmeyahu, אֲשֶׁר כָּתַב בָּרוּךְ מִפִּי יִרְמְיָהוּ) emphasizes the divine origin of the scroll's content. "From the mouth of Jeremiah" indicates these weren't Baruch's opinions or Jeremiah's private thoughts, but God's revealed word spoken through the prophet and transcribed by the scribe. The scroll's destruction, therefore, wasn't merely an attack on a document but a direct assault on divine revelation. God's immediate response—speaking again to Jeremiah—proves the futility of opposing His purposes. Isaiah 40:8 declares, "The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."
Historical Context
The interval between the scroll's burning (v. 23) and God's response to Jeremiah was likely brief—perhaps the same day or shortly after. The scenario demonstrates the prophetic process: God speaks, the prophet receives and proclaims, the scribe records, and opposition attempts to silence—but God speaks again, ensuring His message persists. This pattern appears throughout biblical history: Moses' tablets were broken but rewritten (Exodus 34:1), prophets were killed but God raised up others, and ultimately, when religious authorities killed Jesus (the Word incarnate), God raised Him from the dead. The immediate renewal of prophetic revelation after the scroll's destruction would have been deeply encouraging to the faithful remnant who feared Jehoiakim had successfully suppressed God's word. It also set up the devastating judgment about to be pronounced on the king.
Reflection
- What does the immediate resumption of God's word after the scroll's destruction teach about the indestructibility of divine revelation?
- How does this verse encourage us when it seems that opposition has silenced biblical truth or shut down gospel proclamation?
- In what ways does the phrase 'at the mouth of Jeremiah' emphasize the divine rather than human origin of Scripture?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord