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Commentary on Jeremiah 36 verses 9–19
It should seem that Baruch had been frequently reading out of the book, to all companies that would give him the hearing, before the most solemn reading of it altogether which is here spoken of; for the directions were given about it in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, whereas this was done in the fifth year, Jer 36:9. But some think that the writing of the book fairly over took up so much time that it was another year ere it was perfected; and yet perhaps it might not be past a month or two; he might begin in the latter end of the fourth year and finish it in the beginning of the fifth, for thee ninth month refers to the computation of the year in general, not to the year of that reign. Now observe here, 1. The government appointed a public fast to be religiously observed (Jer 36:9), on account either of the distress they were brought into by the army of the Chaldeans or of the want of rain (Jer 14:1): They proclaimed a fast to the people; whether the king and princes or the priests, ordered this fast, is not certain; but it was plain that God by his providence called them aloud to it. Note, Great shows of piety and devotion may be found even among those who, though they keep up these forms of godliness, are strangers and enemies to the power of it. But what will such hypocritical services avail? Fasting, without reforming and turning away from sin, will never turn away the judgments of God, Jon 3:10. Notwithstanding this fast, God proceeded in his controversy with this people. 2. Baruch repeated Jeremiah's sermons publicly in the house of the Lord, on the fast-day. He stood in a chamber that belonged to Gemariah, and out of a window, or balcony, read to the people that were in the court, Jer 36:10. Note, When we are speaking to God we must be willing to hear from him; and therefore, on days of fasting and prayer, it is requisite that the word be read and preached. Hearken unto me, that God may hearken unto you. Jdg 9:7. For our help in suing out mercy and grace, it is proper that we should be told of sin and duty. 3. An account was brought of this to the princes that attended the court and were now together in the secretary's office, here called the scribe's chamber, Jer 36:12. It should seem, though the princes had called the people to meet in the house of God, to fact, and pray, and hear the word, they did not think fit to attend there themselves, which was a sign that it was not from a principle of true devotion, but merely for fashion sake, that they proclaimed this fast. We are willing to hope that it was not with a bad design, to bring Jeremiah into trouble for his preaching, but with a good design, to bring the princes into trouble for their sins, that Michaiah informed the princes of what Baruch had read; for his father Gemariah so far countenanced Baruch as to lend him his chamber to read out of. Michaiah finds the princes sitting in the scribe's chamber, and tells them they had better have been where he had been, hearing a good sermon in the temple, which he gives them the heads of. Note, When we have heard some good word that has affected and edified us we should be ready to communicate it to others that did not hear it, for their edification. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 4. Baruch is sent for, and is ordered to sit down among them and read it all over again to them (Jer 36:14, Jer 36:15), which he readily did, not complaining that he was weary with his public work and therefore desiring to be excused, nor upbraiding the princes with their being absent from the temple, where they might have heard it when he read it there. Note, God's ministers must become all things to all men, if by any means they may gain some, must comply with them in circumstances, that they may secure the substance. St. Paul preached privately to those of reputation, Gal 2:2. 5. The princes were for the present much affected with the word that was read to them, Jer 36:16. Observe, They heard all the words they did not interrupt him, but very patiently attended to the reading of the whole book; for otherwise how could they form a competent judgment of it? And, when they had heard all, they were afraid, were all afraid, one as well as another; like Felix, who trembled at Paul's reasonings. The reproofs were just, the threatenings terrible, and the predictions now in a fair way to be fulfilled; so that, laying all together, they were in a great consternation. We are not told what impressions this reading of the roll made upon the people (Jer 36:10), but the princes were put into a fright by it, and (as some read it) looked one upon another, not knowing what to say. They were all convinced that it was worthy to be regarded, but none of them had courage to second it, only they agreed to tell the king of all these words; and, if he think fit to give credit to them, they will, otherwise not, no, though it were to prevent the ruin of the nation. And yet at the same time they knew the king's mind so far that they advised Baruch and Jeremiah to hide themselves (Jer 36:19) and to shift as they could for their own safety, expecting no other than that the king, instead of being convinced, would be exasperated. Note, It is common for sinners, under convictions, to endeavour to shake them off, by shifting off the prosecution of them to other persons, as these princes here, or to another more convenient season, as Felix. 6. They asked Baruch a trifling question, How he wrote all these words (v. 17), as if they suspected there was something extraordinary in it; but Baruch gives them a plain answer, that there was nothing but what was common in the manner of the writing - Jeremiah dictated and he wrote, Jer 36:18. But thus it is common for those who would avoid the convictions of the word of God to start needless questions about the way and manner of the inspiration of it.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 36:19 captures a critical moment of urgent counsel from the Judean princes to Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful scribe, and the prophet himself, instructing them to go into hiding. This directive underscores the extreme peril they faced from King Jehoiakim, who, upon hearing the divine judgment recorded in the scroll, reacted with furious defiance and sought to apprehend God's messengers. The verse highlights the immediate need for protective measures to safeguard God's instruments and the sacred message they carried in the face of royal opposition and life-threatening danger, setting the stage for God's providential preservation of His word.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within a dramatic and dangerous sequence of events in Jeremiah 36. Following God's explicit command to Jeremiah to record all the prophecies given to him concerning Judah and Jerusalem since the beginning of his ministry (Jeremiah 36:1-3), Baruch, Jeremiah's faithful scribe, diligently transcribed these words onto a scroll. Baruch then publicly read this scroll in the temple courts on a fast day, and later to a group of princes who had gathered in the scribe's chamber (Jeremiah 36:9-15). The princes, recognizing the gravity of the message and the potential for the king's wrath, reported the contents to King Jehoiakim. Instead of repentance, the king responded with hardened defiance, cutting the scroll into pieces and burning it in the fire (Jeremiah 36:23). It is immediately after this act of blasphemous rebellion that the princes, fearing for Jeremiah and Baruch's lives, issue the urgent command to hide, recognizing the king's murderous intent and the profound danger they faced.
Historical & Cultural Context: The events of Jeremiah 36 unfold during the tumultuous reign of King Jehoiakim (609-598 BC), a period marked by profound political instability and spiritual decline in Judah. Jehoiakim was a vassal king installed by Egypt, and his rule was characterized by apostasy, injustice, and a defiant rejection of God's prophetic word. The geopolitical landscape was dominated by the rising power of Babylon, which was rapidly eclipsing Assyria and Egypt. Jeremiah's prophecies consistently warned of impending Babylonian invasion and exile as divine judgment for Judah's persistent sin and covenant unfaithfulness. In this context, the king's burning of the scroll was not merely an act of disrespect but a profound political and religious statement of outright defiance against both God and the prophetic warnings. The princes, caught between their duty to the king and their apprehension regarding the divine message, demonstrated a degree of prudence and concern by advising Jeremiah and Baruch to hide, understanding the cultural reality that a king's unbridled wrath could easily lead to summary execution without due process.
Key Themes: Jeremiah 36:19 vividly contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the persecution of God's messengers; prophets who delivered unpopular truths often faced severe opposition, even death, from those in power, as tragically seen with Urijah (Jeremiah 26:20-23). Secondly, it underscores the defiance of human authority against divine revelation; King Jehoiakim's act of burning the scroll is a powerful symbol of hardened hearts and outright rebellion against God's truth, leading to severe consequences for himself and his kingdom (Jeremiah 36:30-31). Thirdly, and paradoxically, it demonstrates divine protection and the enduring power of God's word; while the princes gave practical advice, God's overarching providence ensured the safety of His instruments and His message, which was subsequently rewritten and even expanded (Jeremiah 36:32). This event reinforces the profound truth that God's word cannot be ultimately silenced or thwarted, even when human authorities seek to suppress it by force.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its urgency and significance. Urgency is palpable in the direct, imperative commands: "Go, hide thee" and "let no man know." This immediate and forceful instruction reflects the dire peril facing Jeremiah and Baruch, demanding swift action. There is an element of Foreshadowing as the king's extreme reaction and the immediate need for hiding hint at the greater persecution Jeremiah would face throughout his ministry, and the ultimate judgment that would inevitably befall Judah due to its leaders' hardened hearts. The scene also contains a subtle Irony: the very princes who brought the scroll to the king, thereby exposing Jeremiah and Baruch to danger, are now the ones advising their escape. This suggests a complex moral landscape where some officials, though complicit in the system, still recognized the gravity of the prophetic word and the king's irrational, destructive impulses. The act of Hiding itself can be seen as a form of Symbolism, representing the temporary withdrawal of God's direct prophetic voice from the public square in the face of unrepentant rebellion, yet simultaneously God's providential protection of His messengers, ensuring His word would ultimately prevail.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 36:19 profoundly illustrates the tension between divine revelation and human rebellion, a recurring theme throughout biblical history. The princes' urgent counsel to hide underscores the reality that God's truth, when confronting sin and injustice, often provokes fierce opposition from those in power, even to the point of violence. Yet, even in such perilous moments, God's sovereignty is undeniably evident. While human agents provide practical advice, it is ultimately God who orchestrates circumstances for the protection of His chosen instruments and the preservation of His infallible word. The fact that the scroll was subsequently rewritten and even expanded (Jeremiah 36:32) powerfully demonstrates that no human act of defiance, no matter how destructive, can thwart God's ultimate purposes or silence His eternal truth. This passage reminds believers that faithfulness to God's call may involve risk and the need for wise discretion, but it is always met with divine oversight and an unwavering assurance that His word will ultimately prevail.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 36:19 offers timeless wisdom for believers navigating a world often resistant to God's truth. It reminds us that proclaiming the Gospel and standing for righteousness may, at times, invite opposition, misunderstanding, or even persecution, especially when that truth challenges prevailing cultural norms, powerful institutions, or personal comfort zones. However, this passage also provides profound assurance that God watches over His faithful servants. While He calls us to boldness and unwavering commitment to His word, He also provides wisdom for discretion and protection when needed. The princes' advice to hide was not an act of cowardice but a prudent response to a clear and present danger, demonstrating that spiritual wisdom often involves knowing when to speak boldly and when to withdraw for strategic preservation, ensuring the long-term effectiveness of ministry. Ultimately, this passage reinforces the enduring power and invincibility of God's word; though people may attempt to destroy or suppress it, it cannot be ultimately silenced and will always accomplish its divine purpose. We are called to value, proclaim, and preserve God's word, trusting in His sovereignty and provision even amidst adversity, knowing that His truth will always triumph.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did the princes advise Jeremiah and Baruch to hide?
Answer: The princes advised Jeremiah and Baruch to hide because they recognized the extreme and immediate danger posed by King Jehoiakim's furious reaction to the scroll. Upon hearing the prophecies of judgment, the king not only defiantly burned the scroll (Jeremiah 36:23) but also immediately ordered the arrest of Jeremiah and Baruch (Jeremiah 36:26). The princes, having witnessed the king's unbridled rage and understanding the cultural reality of a monarch's absolute power, knew that their lives were in imminent peril and that hiding was a necessary measure for their survival and the preservation of God's prophetic message.
Does hiding contradict the call to boldly proclaim God's word?
Answer: No, hiding in this context does not contradict the call to boldly proclaim God's word; rather, it demonstrates wisdom and strategic preservation. Jeremiah and Baruch had already boldly delivered God's message publicly, fulfilling their prophetic mandate. The command to hide was a tactical decision by the princes, and implicitly sanctioned by God, to protect the lives of His messengers so they could continue their ministry beyond the immediate threat. Jesus Himself sometimes withdrew from crowds or those seeking to harm Him before His appointed time (John 8:59; John 10:39). This act of hiding was not out of fear that God's word would fail, but a recognition of the practical realities of persecution, allowing God's servants to survive and continue their mission when the immediate danger was too great to be met with further public confrontation. It underscores that faithfulness involves both courageous proclamation and prudent discernment.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 36:19, with its depiction of a prophet facing mortal danger for delivering God's word and being advised to hide, powerfully foreshadows aspects of Christ's own ministry and the enduring nature of God's message. Just as Jeremiah delivered an unpopular message of judgment and salvation to a rebellious people, Jesus, the ultimate Prophet and Word made flesh, came proclaiming the truth of God's kingdom, which often provoked fierce opposition from religious and political authorities (John 7:7). There were times when Jesus, knowing His hour had not yet come, would strategically withdraw or "hide" from those who sought to kill Him or prematurely make Him king (John 8:59; John 10:39). This was not a sign of fear, but divine wisdom and strategic timing, ensuring His mission would unfold according to God's perfect plan, culminating in His atoning sacrifice on the cross. Ultimately, while King Jehoiakim attempted to destroy God's word by burning the scroll, the divine message could not be extinguished; it was rewritten and amplified. Similarly, though Christ was crucified and His followers persecuted (Matthew 10:23), His word, the Gospel, cannot be silenced. It continues to spread and transform lives, fulfilling the promise that "Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away" (Matthew 24:35). The preservation of Jeremiah and Baruch points to God's unwavering commitment to His message, a commitment fully realized in the enduring power and triumph of Christ and His eternal word, which continues to resonate across generations.