jeremiah 35 and 36

Read Jeremiah 35 and 36 at Bible Gateway.

The Hebrew paragraph divisions:

Jer 35:1-11 {p} YHVH: Set wine before the Rechabites/ they would not drink, but obeyed their father’s command
Jer 35:12-19 {p} The Rechabites obey their father, but Judah + Jerusalem has not obeyed My word
Jer 36:1-3 {s} YHVH instructs Jeremiah to write all His words in a book, that Judah may hear, turn, be forgiven
Jer 36:4-8 {p} Jeremiah instructed Baruch to write YHVH’s words + to read them in the house of YHVH
Jer 36:9-18 {s} On a fast day, Baruch read YHVH’s words in the hearing of the people + princes of Judah
Jer 36:19-26 {s} Jeremiah + Baruch hid/ Jehoiakim king of Judah burned the scroll, did not heed YHVH’s words
Jer 36:27-29 {s} YHVH instructs Jeremiah to write a 2nd scroll/ Say to Jehoiakim: You did not heed YHVH’s words
Jer 36:30-32 {s} I will punish you, Jerusalem, Judah with the doom I have pronounced/ Baruch wrote His words

Jer 36 chiastic structure:

1a) 36:1-3 {s} YHVH instructs Jeremiah to write all His words in a book, that Judah may hear, turn, be forgiven;

1b) Jer 36:4-18 {p+s} Jeremiah instructed Baruch to write + read/ he did so in the hearing of the people + princes;

1a) Jer 36:4, Jeremiah called Baruch/ he wrote on a scroll at Jeremiah’s instruction, all the words of YHVH;
1b) Jer 36:5-8 {p} Jeremiah commanded Baruch to read the words of YHVH in His house/ so Baruch did;

1a) Jer 36:5-6, Jeremiah commanded Baruch: you read the words of YHVH in His house on a day of fasting;
central axis) Jer 36:7, It may be that they will turn from his evil way/ great is the anger of YHVH against His people;
2a) Jer 36:8 {p} Baruch did as Jeremiah the prophet commanded him, reading the words of YHVH in His house;

central axis) Jer 36:9, In Jehoiakim’s 5th year, 9th month, they proclaimed a fast before YHVH for all Jerusalem + Judah;

2b) Jer 36:10-16, Baruch read the words of Jeremiah in the house of YHVH/ scribes + princes heard it;

1a) Jer 36:10, Baruch read the words of Jeremiah in the house of YHVH, in the hearing of all the people;
central axis) Jer 36:11-14a, Michaiah heard the words of YHVH/ told the scribes + princes/ they sent for Baruch;
2a) Jer 36:14b-16, Baruch took the scroll in his hand + read it in their hearing/ their fear + they will tell the king;

2a) Jer 36:17-18 {s} They asked: How did you write these words—at his instruction?”/ Baruch’s affirmation;

1c) Jer 36:19, The princes to Baruch: “Go and hide, you + Jeremiah; and let no one know where you are;”

central axis) Jer 36:20-25, The scroll read in the king’s hearing, but he burned it + did not fear the word of YHVH;

2c) Jer 36:26 {s} The king commanded Baruch + Jeremiah to be seized, but YHVH hid them;

2b) Jer 36:27a, After the king burned the scroll which Baruch had written at the instruction of Jeremiah;

2a) 36:27b-32 {s+p} YHVH instructs Jeremiah to take a 2nd scroll + write His words/ Jehoiakim did not hear + he will not be forgiven;

1a) Jer 36:28, YHVH to Jeremiah: Take a 2nd scroll + write all the former words which the king of Judah burned;
1b) Jer 36:29 {s} YHVH to Jehoiakim: You burned the scroll of My words/ did not believe destruction is coming;
central axis) Jer 36:30-31a, YHVH to Jehoiakim: Your sons will fail on the throne of David + your dead body/ I will punish you for your iniquity + bring on you, Jerusalem, Judah all the doom I have pronounced;
2b) Jer 36:31b, But they did not heed;
2a) Jer 36:32 {p} Jeremiah took a 2nd scroll/ Baruch wrote the former words which the king burned + many other words.

I cannot get over the fact, that despite everything that Judah had done, God was just waiting, even now, for the opportunity to forgive them, and bring none of the disaster upon them of which He had warned them. Perhaps God is more gracious and generous than we have given Him credit for, believers? May we likewise preach repentance and the great fathomless forgiveness and mercy of God! ♥