Jeremiah The Fruitless Prophet	Lesson 08 – Coming Invasion Jeremiah 35-36 Date: 2 December 2020 – Jer20
Dates and chronology are based largely on www.generationword.com/notes/jeremiah/prelim-notes.pdf Used by permission.

1.

Josiah 640-608 Jehoahaz 608 Jehoiakim 608-597     1st Captivity 606 Jehoiachin 597     2nd Captivity 597 Zedekiah 597-586     3rd Captivity 586

Loyalty of the Rechabites, Jer 35

a.          God sent Jeremiah to the house of the Rechabites to see whether they would remain true to the promise, which they made to their father, that they would drink no wine (35:1-2).

b.          The Rechabites were a family that descended from the time of Moses (1Ch 2:55; Nu 10:29-32; Judg 1:16; 2Ki 10:15, 23). Through the centuries, they had lived an ascetic [self-denial] lifestyle. ^{Halley p.316}

c.           Ryrie adds that the Rechabites were, “A puritan protest group, advocating a nomadic way of life, that originated with Jehonadab, son of Rechab, in Israel about 842 B.C. (2Kings 10:15-23).”

d.          They remained true to their word and would not drink any wine (35:3-11). “The Nazarites also took a vow for a similar life-style (Num 6:1-21) as the Rechabites” ^{KJBC, p.898}

The word for wine is a generic word that may refer to grapes on the vine (Jer 40:10), as well as grape juice and fermented wine (Pr 20:1). Only the context can determine the meaning. However, historian William Patton states that even fermented wine frequently diluted with water except for those desiring to get drunk. (See Bible Wines, William Patton)

e.          The Rechabites had faithfully obeyed yet Judah had refused to obey. Jeremiah used the Rechabites’ faithfulness to challenge the men of Judah and Jerusalem that even more they ought to obey the voice of the Lord (35:12-17). God holds faithfulness in high esteem.

f.            God blessed the faithfulness of the Rechabites (35:18-19). They would always have descendants to worship and serve God. ^(Ryrie)

2.         Jehoiakim Opposed Jeremiah, Jer 36

a.          This too took place in the fourth year of Jehoiakim (36:1).

b.          God told Jeremiah to write His words of warning in a book (36:1-2).

1)         God commanded him to take “a roll of a book”. The word “roll” refers to leather or papyrus sheets connected and rolled up to form a scroll on which to write.

2)         He was to write ALL the words God had spoken against Judah from the days of Josiah unto this day, a timespan of 23 or 24 years.

c.           Note God’s burden and desire to forgive (36:3).

d.          Jeremiah spoke and had Baruch his scribe write all the words in a book (36:4). Obviously, God refreshed Jeremiah’s memory or freshly breathed the words again in his heart.

e.          Jeremiah said that he was “shut up”. In this case, he was not in prison, but he was restrained, perhaps by God. He then sent Baruch with the book to read it to the people in the house of the LORD (36:5-10).

f.            Michaiah told the people and princes about the book (36:13).

g.          The princes called Baruch and asked him to read the words Jeremiah had written (36:14).

h.          Baruch read the book to the princes (36:15-16). The words caused them to fear. It was not good news. They still had some respect for the words of Jehovah. They then questioned Baruch and told him and Jeremiah to go hide (36:17-19). Though the princes were not fully behind Jeremiah, God prompted their hearts to help him in this way.

i.            The princes told the king all that was in the book (36:20).

j.            Jehudi read the book to King Jehoiakim, but the king cut it in pieces and burned it (36:21-24). The king showed no fear of God. He was a wicked king.

k.           Three more godly men, Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah begged that the king not burn the book, but he would not hear them (36:25). It is a blessing that though these men were not godly, they had a certain fear of God and for God’s Word. We see that from time to time today as well.

l.            The king commanded to bring Baruch and Jeremiah but the LORD hid them (36:26). Isn’t that a great verse! God is so good! We too need to count our blessings. It is far too easy to count our burdens. Someone has wisely said, “The safest place on earth is in the centre of God’s will”.

m.        At God’s command, Jeremiah and Baruch wrote a new copy of the book including many additional words (36:27-32). That must have been a huge task. They had no computers, printers, or spell-checkers. They wrote it all by hand with a pen dipped in ink.

This is a reminder that God’s Word is eternal. Even if men could destroy all written copies, it still lives on in heaven and will forever. (Psalms 119:89) “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.” (Isaiah 40:8) “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” (Matthew 5:18) “For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.“