If God commanded Jeremiah to write these prophecies, why was there a need for a second scroll after the first was destroyed? (Jeremiah 36:2, 28–32)

Historical Context

During the reign of King Jehoiakim (son of Josiah), Babylon was rising as a dominant power in the ancient Near East. Jeremiah, the prophet in Jerusalem, was instructed to pronounce warnings of judgment and calls for repentance to the people of Judah (cf. Jeremiah 1–2). According to Jeremiah 36:1, Jehoiakim’s fourth year saw escalating tensions as Babylon pressed in. Meanwhile, this period is corroborated by ancient Babylonian records (sometimes called the Babylonian Chronicles), which align with the biblical timeline that Babylon’s influence was surging during Jehoiakim’s rule.

The threat of Babylonian conquest had created a climate of fear and political intrigue in Judah. Against this backdrop, Jeremiah was commanded to record prophecies on a scroll. This context demonstrates not only the historical plausibility of the event but also underscores the importance of these messages, given the anxious environment in Jerusalem.

The Command to Write the Scroll

The directive appears in Jeremiah 36:2: “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations from the day I first spoke to you in the days of Josiah until today.” Jeremiah commissioned his scribe, Baruch, to write down these prophetic oracles, ensuring they would be delivered publicly. The scroll functioned as a permanent and easily disseminated document of divine revelation.

This episode also highlights the concept that God’s Word was not intended to remain purely oral. Instead, by requiring Jeremiah to commit the prophecies to writing, divine revelation would be preserved for future generations. Even outside the biblical text, Near Eastern cultures commonly created sealed tablets or scrolls to permanently record significant communication. Such widespread practice gives further historical resonance to Jeremiah’s written prophecies.

Jehoiakim’s Destruction of the First Scroll

Jehoiakim’s reaction reveals both the rebellious posture of his heart and the political sensitivities of the era. Jeremiah 36:23 describes how “each time Jehudi had read three or four columns, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the fire.” Kings in the ancient world often used dramatic acts—like burning unwanted documents—to demonstrate complete rejection of a prophecy or treaty. Jehoiakim’s defiance confirmed his resistance to the prophetic call to repentance.

The destruction of the scroll might raise a question: If God commanded Jeremiah to write these words, how could the scroll be so easily annihilated? However, as the following verses and events show, physical destruction cannot nullify God’s decrees or hinder His plan. Historical parallels exist of other monarchs destroying texts they deemed threatening, yet the messages typically survived through rewrites or hidden copies. The scriptural narrative illustrates the same principle at work here.

The Need for the Second Scroll

Following Jehoiakim’s act, God immediately instructed Jeremiah to reproduce the dictators of judgment and hope (Jeremiah 36:28). Specifically, Jeremiah 36:28 states, “Take another scroll and write on it all the words that were on the first scroll, which Jehoiakim king of Judah burned.” This second recording was not simply a reissue but a demonstration that divine truth remains steadfast despite opposition. The command to rewrite the scroll underscores several key points:

1. God’s Sovereignty Over His Message: Burning the scroll could not extinguish God’s pronouncements. The same prophecies were re-recorded—reinforcing that God’s Word stands immovable, regardless of human attempts to silence it (cf. Isaiah 40:8).

2. Judgment Reinforced: After the destruction of the scroll, further judgments were pronounced on Jehoiakim and his lineage (Jeremiah 36:30–31). The second scroll included these additional declarations, underscoring the seriousness of rejecting divine revelation.

3. Remembrance for Future Generations: When texts were recopied, the added warnings and expansions served to teach subsequent readers about the consequences of resisting prophetic counsel. Documenting these events for posterity provides evidence of God’s consistent dealings with obstinate leaders.

The Preservation of God’s Word

Jeremiah 36:32 records, “Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, and at Jeremiah’s dictation he wrote on it all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them.” Beyond the immediate historical incident, this verse testifies to a broader theme: divine revelation endures.

Archaeological discoveries—from the Lachish Letters (which date to a period close to the Babylonian invasions) to the later preservation of similar texts among the Dead Sea Scrolls—demonstrate that critical documents in ancient Israel’s history were often safeguarded. Multiple copies, scribal fidelity, and communal awareness contributed to sustaining texts through turbulent times. Jeremiah’s second scroll typifies this reality, showing that spiritual truths cannot be permanently erased by physical acts.

Additionally, the process of copying sacred texts, along with the careful scribal traditions evidenced in surviving manuscript fragments, points to the reliability of ancient Hebrew Scripture transmission. These findings align with the pattern we see in Jeremiah 36, where the same words were painstakingly recorded again.

Theological Implications

1. Human Rebellion vs. Divine Resolve: The account illustrates that while humans may resist God’s directives, they cannot thwart His plans. Jehoiakim’s attempt to silence prophecy did not succeed. Instead, a second, expanded scroll emerged.

2. God’s Providential Oversight of History: Even in times of crisis and impending judgment, the scroll’s republishing declared that God’s purposes continue unabated. The subsequent Babylonian exile did not invalidate these prophecies; rather, it confirmed them.

3. Invitation to Repentance: Jeremiah’s message, though largely about judgment, always carried an offer of mercy through repentance (cf. Jeremiah 36:3). The second scroll reiterated the call to turn back, indicating God’s patient desire for genuine change.

Practical Lessons and Enduring Relevance

These events in Jeremiah 36 underscore the resilience of divine instruction. Efforts to suppress or destroy God’s Word have recurred throughout history—whether through literal burnings or censorship—but the core message remains accessible. Faith communities have been charged with preserving sacred writings, and numerous historical, archaeological, and textual data affirm this legacy.

The second scroll phenomenon also reminds readers of the responsibility to share and preserve revealed truth. By faithfully transmitting Scripture and living out its principles, future generations gain access to God’s continuous message, no matter the cultural or political climate.

Jeremiah’s example encourages individuals—then and now—to remain steadfast in proclaiming what they know to be true, even if external forces oppose it. Ultimately, this incident stands as a vivid demonstration that though people may reject God’s counsel, His Word itself remains indestructible and supremely authoritative.