A Fire Burning

Jer. 36: 24

Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments.

 

Micaiah heard the words that were read aloud, the words that Jeremiah transcribed, the words that were from the Lord. He immediately went to the king's house, to the area where the officials were sitting to tell them of the words, who had written the words and who had read the words. The officials knew that they must hear these words so they sent for Baruch to read them again. After this, Baruch was instructed to get Jeremiah and then both of them go into hiding. Certainly, it was a message of judgment, yet hope, if they would turn from their evil ways and receive God's forgiveness.

 

So the officials went to the court of the king and reported the words to him. Jehudi was told to get the scroll so he could read it to the king. Now the story becomes tragic...It was about the 9th month and the king was in his winter house (the warmest area in the house). As Jehudi read 3-4 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. Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. How horrible is that! Such utter disregard for the Lord's words and such haughty behavior! The warnings of these words had done nothing to their hearts. Even when some of his advisors urged him not to burn the scroll, he refused to listen. He was bent on pursuing evil even more.

 

But Jeremiah was not deterred. God had him write more to Jehoiakim, king of Judah. The word of the Lord verbally acknowledged his horrible act of burning the words. Therefore thus says the Lord..."He [the king]shall have none to sit on the throne of David and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night. And I will punish him and his offspring and his servants for their iniquity. I will bring upon them and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem and upon the people of Judah all the disaster that I have pronounced against them. And they would not hear." Heavy! And did this come true? Yes! Sin left unchecked brings a heavy and fearful judgment!

 

As I think about the king burning the words of the Lord, it makes me think of the attitudes of people today. They make not be making an actual bonfire, but in their hearts so many have utter disregard for the words and for God. They are possessed to go their own way and do their own thing thinking that they are in control of their lives. Just like Jehoiakim, his burning of the words did not stop what they prophesied. Similarly, saying there is no God or that the Bible is foolishness will not alter the fact that there is a God and His words are true. How foolish is man's pride!

 

Father,

Thank You for Your powerful words. I treasure them. Take me down Your path so that I may never have hardness of heart toward them.

In Jesus name,

Amen