Unbelievable!

Jer. 36:22-26

"It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. And the king commanded Jerahmeel the king's son and Seraiah the son of Azriel and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel to seize Baruch the secretary and Jeremiah the prophet, but the LORD hid them."

 What a hard job Jeremiah had! He had to declare God's words at a time when evil was rampant and hearts were not only stubbornly hard but vindictive. However, he was faithful and spoke God's words to Baruch who transcribed them. Baruch was not only the scribe but also the reader. After he read Jeremiah's words, some of the king's officials were sore afraid and reported the words to the king. ( A wise response!) But when Jehoiakim heard the words, his actions were not wise or prudent.  As he listened to the words of God, he cut them off and burned them. How foolish! How typical of a man puffed up with his own importance and power to think that if he destroyed the words of God, they would become null and void. Man's responses do in no way alter the message of the Word of God! If I rationalize the meaning of His Words, or interpret the words in a way that makes them more palatable, it doesn't change what God has said. His words are unalterable and unchanging since time, culture, or technology have no bearing on them. When I read His words, I can rest in the fact that what He says He will do. "His faithfulness is my shield and buckler." 

Father,

Keep my heart tender to Your words so that I am not burning them with my apathy or disobedience. Give me Your wisdom to understand, apply, and obey what You want me to do.

In Jesus name,

Amen