How does Jeremiah 36:32 demonstrate God's commitment to preserving His word? Setting the Scene Jeremiah 36 records King Jehoiakim’s brazen act of cutting up Jeremiah’s scroll and burning it in the fireplace. His goal was simple: erase the prophecy, silence God, and ease his own conscience. God Rewrites and Expands His Word “Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, who wrote on it at his dictation all the words of the book that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them.” (Jeremiah 36:32) • God immediately commands Jeremiah to replace the destroyed scroll. • Every single word is restored—nothing lost, nothing forgotten. • “Many similar words were added,” turning attempted subtraction into divine multiplication. How v.32 Demonstrates God’s Commitment to Preservation • Indestructibility: Human power (a king with a knife and fire) cannot erase God’s revelation. • Total Recall: The Lord supernaturally brings back every phrase He originally gave, proving perfect memory and oversight. • Super-addition: God not only preserves but expands; new words underscore that opposition often invites even fuller revelation. • Public Record: A rewritten scroll becomes part of Israel’s sacred archive, guaranteeing transmission to generations—including us. • Moral Accountability: By restoring the prophecy, God ensures Jehoiakim’s deeds—and the promised judgment—remain on record, underscoring that deleting Scripture never deletes responsibility. Supporting Passages • Isaiah 40:8 — “The grass withers, the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” • Psalm 119:89 — “Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” • Matthew 24:35 — “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.” • 1 Peter 1:23, 25 — “...the living and enduring word of God… the word of the Lord stands forever.” These verses harmonize with Jeremiah 36:32, forming a consistent biblical chorus: God’s word is unbreakable and eternal. Take-Home Encouragements • Confidence: Trust the Bible you hold today—God is still guarding every syllable. • Courage: Speak truth without fear; attempts to silence Scripture will ultimately fail. • Reverence: Approach the word with awe, knowing its Author zealously preserves it. • Obedience: Because God keeps His word intact, He also keeps every promise and warning; respond accordingly. |
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