Jeremiah 36:16

When they had heard all these words, they turned to one another in fear and said to Baruch, "Surely we must report all these words to the king."

Study Bible

When they had heard all these words
This phrase refers to the officials of King Jehoiakim's court who listened to the reading of the scroll containing Jeremiah's prophecies. The context is significant as it highlights the power of God's word to convict and stir the hearts of its hearers. The scroll, dictated by Jeremiah and written by Baruch, contained messages of impending judgment due to Judah's disobedience. This moment underscores the importance of hearing and responding to God's word, a theme echoed throughout Scripture (Romans 10:17).

they turned to one another in fear
The fear experienced by the officials indicates a recognition of the seriousness of the prophecies. This fear can be seen as a reverent acknowledgment of God's authority and the reality of His impending judgment. In the cultural context of ancient Judah, fear was a common response to divine messages, reflecting an understanding of the consequences of sin. This reaction parallels other biblical instances where individuals respond with fear to divine revelations, such as the shepherds at Jesus' birth (Luke 2:9).

and said to Baruch
Baruch, the scribe, played a crucial role in delivering Jeremiah's message. His presence and involvement highlight the importance of faithful service in God's work. Baruch's willingness to stand by Jeremiah and deliver a difficult message is reminiscent of other biblical figures who served as messengers of God's word, such as Moses and Aaron. This phrase also emphasizes the role of intermediaries in communicating divine messages, a theme seen throughout the Bible.

“Surely we must report all these words to the king.”
The decision to report to the king reflects the officials' sense of duty and the gravity of the message. It shows an understanding that the king, as the leader of the nation, needed to be informed of God's warnings. This action is significant in the historical context, as it demonstrates the tension between prophetic messages and royal authority. The officials' response can be compared to other instances where God's messengers confronted kings, such as Nathan with David (2 Samuel 12:1-14). This phrase also foreshadows the eventual rejection of the message by King Jehoiakim, illustrating the theme of human resistance to divine warnings.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jeremiah
A prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah, often warning them of impending judgment due to their disobedience.

2. Baruch
The scribe and faithful companion of Jeremiah, who wrote down the words of the prophecy as dictated by Jeremiah.

3. The Officials
A group of leaders in Judah who heard the words of the scroll and were struck with fear, recognizing the gravity of the message.

4. The King (Jehoiakim)
The reigning king of Judah at the time, who would later react to the reading of the scroll with hostility.

5. The Scroll
The written record of Jeremiah's prophecies, which Baruch read aloud to the officials, leading to their fearful response.

Teaching Points

The Power of God's Word
The officials' fear upon hearing the scroll highlights the inherent power and authority of God's word to convict and provoke a response.

Responsibility to Respond
The officials recognized the need to report the message to the king, illustrating our responsibility to act upon God's word and share it with others.

Fear of the Lord
Their fear underscores the importance of a reverent fear of God, which is the beginning of wisdom and leads to repentance and obedience.

Faithful Service
Baruch's role as a scribe demonstrates the importance of faithfully serving God in whatever capacity He calls us, even in the face of potential danger.

God's Sovereignty
Despite human resistance, God's purposes will prevail, as seen in the eventual fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the reaction of the officials to the reading of the scroll demonstrate the power of God's word in our lives today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are not only hearers of the word but also doers, as the officials felt compelled to act upon what they heard?

3. How can we cultivate a healthy fear of the Lord in our daily walk, similar to the fear experienced by the officials?

4. What lessons can we learn from Baruch's faithful service in supporting Jeremiah's ministry, and how can we apply these lessons in our own service to God?

5. How does the account of Jeremiah 36 encourage us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when His messages are met with resistance or hostility?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Kings 22
The discovery of the Book of the Law during King Josiah's reign and the subsequent fear and repentance of the people parallels the fear of the officials upon hearing Jeremiah's scroll.

Acts 2
The reaction of the crowd at Pentecost, who were "cut to the heart" upon hearing Peter's message, mirrors the fear and conviction experienced by the officials.

Hebrews 4:12
The power of God's word to pierce the heart and bring conviction is evident in the officials' response to the reading of the scroll.