058. V. The First And Second Collections Of Jeremiah’s Prophecies
V THE FIRST AND SECOND COLLECTIONS OF JEREMIAH’S PROPHECIES 1. Origin and Fate of the First Edition (Jeremiah 36:1-26; Jeremiah 45) The work of editing (Jeremiah 36:1-4). In the memorable year 604 B. C., Jeremiah was commanded by God to write down on a roll of parchment all the prophecies against Israel and Judah and the foreign nations which he had delivered hitherto. The aim in so doing was that he might continue to teach, although it was no longer permitted or safe for him to preach in public; and that perchance the people, in the face of the danger which threatened from the east, might yet be affected by the warnings which his sermons contained, and so seek that forgiveness which Jehovah was eager to grant, when once they repented. Accordingly, Jeremiah summoned his faithful scribe, Baruch, who wrote as the prophet dictated.
Public reading of the prophecies (Jeremiah 36:5-8). When the work was complete, Jeremiah, who could not go himself, commanded Baruch, in the hope of influencing the people, to read the roll in their presence as on a fast-day they were gathered from all parts of Judah at the temple.
Baruch’s discouragement (Jeremiah 45:1-5). Baruch did as directed, but he, like his master in the beginning of his ministry, was overwhelmed with deep despondency, and complained that his life was bereft of all joy and peace, and that only sorrow and pain were his lot. To this wail Jeremiah replied in the name of Jehovah: “True, your lot is a sad one, but it is a time of universal judgment. Being a citizen of this guilty land, you must expect to suffer. Do not hope for prosperity, and you will not be disappointed. Jehovah, however, promises that, in the midst of all perils to which you will be exposed, your life shall be preserved.” The second public reading of Jeremiah’s prophecies (Jeremiah 36:9-10). In the spring of the following year, when the people of Judah were gathered together at the temple again to observe a solemn fast, that they might secure Jehovah’s favor in the time of danger which followed the victory of Nebuchadrezzar at Carchemish, Baruch read from the collection of Jeremiah’s prophecies.
Reading before the nobles and Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:11-26). A certain noble, Micaiah, the grandson of Josiah’s famous chancellor, Shaphan, and the nephew of Ahikam, who earlier befriended Jeremiah when he was attacked by a mob (Jeremiah 26:24), was impressed by the reading. Possibly feeling added responsibility because the reading took place in his room, he reported it at once to the other nobles who were assembled in the hall of the chancellor at the palace. They then summoned Baruch, and commanded him to read the roll again. The contents seemed so important that they decided to lay them before the king. When they were assured that there was no fraud, but that Baruch had written as Jeremiah had uttered the prophecies, they advised him and his master to conceal themselves where no one could find them. Then, leaving the roll in the room where they had heard it read, they reported its purport to Jehoiakim. He thereupon ordered it to be brought; and it was read in his presence. As fast as it was read, however, he showed his contempt by cutting off the different sections of the roll with his knife, and by casting them into the fire which burned on a brazier near by. Fear of the king restrained his nobles from expressing any horror at his impiety. Three of them, however, endeavored to dissuade him from destroying the roll, but in vain. He gave orders to seize Jeremiah and Baruch, but they were in concealment, so that his efforts to apprehend them were unsuccessful.
2. The Second and Larger Edition (Jeremiah 36:27-32)
Prophecy against Jehoiakim (Jeremiah 36:27-31). Again the divine command came to Jeremiah to replace the roll of his prophecies, which had been burned by the king, and to add this new prophecy concerning Jehoiakim: “Since he has defied Jehovah in showing his contempt for the message of his prophet, he shall have no descendants to occupy the throne of Judah, while his corpse shall be denied an honorable burial. Upon him and upon his people will come all the woes which have been predicted.” The work of re-editing (Jeremiah 36:32). Comforted by the assurance of Jehovah’s unfailing support, Jeremiah, with Baruch, his scribe, prepared a new edition of his prophecies, much fuller than the one which Jehoiakim destroyed.