Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, reigned as king of Judah from approximately 609 to 598 BC. His reign is marked by a significant event involving the prophet Jeremiah and a scroll containing divine messages. This event is recorded in the Book of Jeremiah, specifically in chapter 36, and it highlights the king's defiance against God's word and the prophetic ministry of Jeremiah.

Background

Jehoiakim ascended to the throne after the death of his father, Josiah, a king known for his religious reforms and dedication to the worship of Yahweh. Unlike his father, Jehoiakim's reign was characterized by idolatry and political alliances that were contrary to the covenantal faithfulness expected of the Davidic kings. During his reign, the geopolitical landscape was dominated by the rising power of Babylon, and Jehoiakim found himself navigating the pressures of allegiance between Egypt and Babylon.

The Scroll

In the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign, the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, instructing him to take a scroll and write down all the words that God had spoken to him concerning Israel, Judah, and all the nations from the time of Josiah until that day (Jeremiah 36:2). The purpose of this was to call the people of Judah to repentance, with the hope that they might turn from their wicked ways and avoid the impending disaster that God had pronounced against them.

Jeremiah dictated these words to Baruch, the son of Neriah, who wrote them on a scroll. Baruch then read the scroll in the house of the LORD on a day of fasting, hoping that the people would heed the warning and turn back to God (Jeremiah 36:6-10).

Jehoiakim's Reaction

The scroll eventually came to the attention of the king's officials, who, recognizing the gravity of its contents, decided to inform King Jehoiakim. The scroll was read to the king as he sat in his winter house, with a fire burning in the brazier before him (Jeremiah 36:22). As Jehudi read three or four columns, Jehoiakim cut them off with a scribe's knife and threw them into the fire until the entire scroll was consumed (Jeremiah 36:23).

Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll was a blatant rejection of God's word and a demonstration of his hardened heart. Despite the warnings and the opportunity for repentance, the king showed no fear or remorse. Instead, he ordered the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch, although the LORD had hidden them (Jeremiah 36:26).

Divine Response

In response to Jehoiakim's actions, the word of the LORD came again to Jeremiah, instructing him to take another scroll and write all the former words that were on the first scroll, which Jehoiakim had burned (Jeremiah 36:28). Furthermore, God pronounced judgment on Jehoiakim, declaring that he would have no one to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body would be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night (Jeremiah 36:30).

This event underscores the enduring nature of God's word, which cannot be destroyed by human hands. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of rejecting divine revelation and the importance of heeding God's call to repentance.