How does Jeremiah 36:20 demonstrate the importance of delivering God's message accurately? Setting the scene Jeremiah is in prison for preaching unwelcome truth. God’s word must still reach the king and the nation, so Jeremiah dictates it to Baruch, who reads the scroll publicly. Officials, troubled by the message, take the scroll to King Jehoiakim. Verse 20 captures the critical transfer point between the officials and the king: “So they went to the king in the courtyard and reported everything to him. Then they deposited the scroll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe.” (Jeremiah 36:20) Key observations from verse 20 • “Reported everything to him” – no edits, no softening, no additions. The officials relay the entire message exactly as Baruch read it. • “Deposited the scroll” – they safeguard the written record. The physical text, divinely inspired, is treated as precious evidence that must not be tampered with. • Chain of custody – Jeremiah ➔ Baruch ➔ officials ➔ king. Each link is responsible to pass on the message faithfully; failure at any point would have distorted God’s word. Why accurate delivery matters • Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16); to misstate it is to misrepresent God Himself. • The message carried judgment and a call to repentance. Lives depended on its precise content. Alteration would mean withholding God’s saving warning. • Fidelity protects messengers: obedience placed responsibility on the hearer (Jehoiakim), not the deliverers. Compare Ezekiel 33:7—if the watchman speaks faithfully, he is clear of bloodguilt. • Preserving the scroll underscores the permanence of God’s word (Isaiah 40:8). Oral reporting could be challenged; the written text stands as unalterable authority. Supporting Scriptures • Deuteronomy 4:2 – “You shall not add to what I command you or subtract from it.” • 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 – Stewards of God’s mysteries must be “found faithful.” • 2 Timothy 4:2 – “Preach the word… with complete patience and instruction.” • Revelation 22:18-19 – severe warning against adding to or taking from God’s revelation. Living it today • Handle God’s Word with the same reverence—quote accurately, interpret plainly, teach without alteration. • Guard the “scroll” entrusted to you: study diligently, memorize, and keep Scripture central in ministry and conversations. • Let the text confront; resist the urge to dilute hard truths for acceptance. • Trust the Spirit to use the exact words He inspired—faithfulness, not flair, is the measure of success. |
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