Jeremiah 35-37

Jeremiah 35

God tells Jeremiah to bring the Rechabite family into the temple and offer them wine.They refuse.

They obey their ancestor Jonadab son of Rechab, who commanded:

• Drink no wine
• Build no houses
• Live simply

They have followed this command for generations.

God’s point:Rechabites obey a human ancestor, but Judah refuses to obey God.

Repeated warnings ignored. Judgment coming.

Because of obedience, their family line will continue. Their faithfulness is honored

Jeremiah 36

During Jehoiakim’s reign. God commands Jeremiah: Write all prophetic words on a scroll.

• Baruch serves as scribe.

Baruch reads the scroll publicly so that people might repent 

• Even though God stated in chapter 7 “As for you, do not pray for this people… for I will not hear you.”

Michaiah (from 2 Kings 22) brought the word to higher ups. The leaders  fear judgment and advise hiding Jeremiah and Baruch.

King Jehoiakim listens…Then cuts and burns the scroll piece by piece. He orders arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch.

God commands rewriting of the scroll with even more words added.

Jeremiah 37

Babylon besieging Jerusalem (again) against Zedekiah.  Egypt temporarily advances, and Babylon withdraws briefly, giving Jerusalem false hope. 

Jeremiah says: Babylon will return and Jerusalem will fall. This is NOT deliverance. 

While leaving the city, Jeremiah accused of defecting to Babylon. He is beaten and once again imprisoned.

Zedekiah secretly asks Jeremiah for prophecy but his answer  is unchanged: Babylon will win.

Jeremiah moved to guarded courtyard prison (a bit more humane) and daily piece of bread. 

Application

Jeremiah’s faithful obedience stands out when others continually ignore God’s commands. Even after imprisonments and beatings he stayed faithful. Israel saw that temporary relief should not be mistaken for true deliverance as they continued to sin.