Devotion January 31 2025 - Florida Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

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Friday, January 31 – Jeremiah 36, 37

Study Questions:

1. What command did God give Jeremiah in the fourth year of Jehoiakim? (Jeremiah 36:1-3).

2. What other command did the prophet give his scribe besides writing? (Jeremiah 36:5-7).

3. What did King Jehoiakim order as an apparent act of contrition the following year? (Jeremiah 36:9).

4. Out of fear of the king’s retaliation, what advice did the princes of Judah give Jeremiah and Baruch? (Jeremiah 36:19).

5. How did Jehoiakim reveal his true character upon hearing the reading of Jeremiah’s scroll? (Jeremiah 36:22, 23).

Commentary and Reflection:

Jeremiah 36 recounts God’s command to the prophet to dictate his prophecies to his scribe, Baruch, who was then instructed to read them aloud to the people. Some leaders, deeply troubled by God’s message, asked Baruch to bring the scroll to them. After hearing its content, they were alarmed and advised Jeremiah and Baruch to hide to ensure their safety.

When the scroll was brought before King Jehoiakim, he displayed his rebellious nature by cutting it into pieces and burning it in the fire. This defiant act revealed his contempt for God’s word. However, God commanded Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll with even more prophetic messages.

In chapter 37, after Jehoiachin (Coniah) was deposed, Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle and son of Josiah, was installed as king by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Although Zedekiah showed some respect for Jeremiah by asking him to pray for the people, he ultimately remained disobedient to God.

During this time, Pharaoh’s army advanced from Egypt, causing the Babylonians to temporarily lift their siege of Jerusalem. Despite this brief reprieve, Jeremiah warned that the Babylonians would return and ultimately prevail.

While attempting to travel to the land of Benjamin, Jeremiah was falsely accused of defecting to the Babylonians. He was beaten and imprisoned. However, King Zedekiah intervened on his behalf. Secretly, Zedekiah asked Jeremiah if there was any word from the Lord. Jeremiah did not hesitate to deliver the truth: Zedekiah would be handed over to the Babylonians.

Although saddened by the message, the king allowed Jeremiah to stay in the guard’s courtyard. He ensured he received daily bread rations—a small but meaningful mercy in times of severe famine and scarcity.

These were times of hunger, fear, and betrayal. Jeremiah faced the threat of foreign invaders and hostility from his people. Yet, despite the dangers and opposition, he remained steadfast in proclaiming God’s message, warning Judah of the consequences of their rebellion.

Later, in Daniel 9:2, we see that Daniel himself read Jeremiah’s writings and understood the cause of their 70-year captivity: the people’s disobedience to God’s law.

“With tears Jeremiah entreated Zedekiah to save himself and his people. With anguish of spirit he assured him that unless he should heed the counsel of God, he could not escape with his life, and all his possessions would fall to the Babylonians. But the king had started on the wrong course, and he would not retrace his steps. He decided to follow the counsel of the false prophets, and of the men whom he really despised, and who ridiculed his weakness in yielding so readily to their wishes. He sacrificed the noble freedom of his manhood and became a cringing slave to public opinion. With no fixed purpose to do evil, he was also without resolution to stand boldly for the right. Convicted though he was of the value of the counsel given by Jeremiah, he had not the moral stamina to obey; and as a consequence he advanced steadily in the wrong direction.” (Prophets and Kings, 458)

The history of Israel serves as a solemn warning for us today. The only way to emerge victorious in times of trial is through unwavering faith in God and steadfast obedience to His commands. Human reasoning may suggest alternative paths, but we must move forward in faith, even when the way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Heaven seeks a people who is willing to walk this path with courage and trust.

May God’s blessings be abundant as we apply these timeless lessons.

Pastor Rolando de los Rios

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Friday, January 31 – Jeremiah 36, 37

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Friday, January 31 – Jeremiah 36, 37

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