On Jeremiah 36

God's Ongoing Call for a Personal Relationship with Each Person

 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even into this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. -Jeremiah 36:1-3

 These passages remind me of 2 Peter 3:9 -- that though, even the very first sin deserved instant judgement and utter destruction in the eyes of Holy God, He patiently held off -- holds off even now -- utter and complete judgement in His desire for every man to turn back to Him. Indeed, it never ceases to amaze me how long suffering God is in the face of Judah's continuously blatant idolatry and rebellion against Him. Not just once, nor twice, nor thrice did He issue out a call to repentance that His certain judgement might yet again be eclipsed by His immeasurable grace and mercy, but for countless of times since the days of Josiah. In truth, God's warnings regarding the consequences of idolatry and disobedience echo as far back as Leviticus 26:13-39. And yet again, He sends Jeremiah to warn the people of impending judgement so that they might repent and He might forgive them. And the call is for everyone to repent, speaking of a personal relationship that God desires from each of us.

 The Word of the LORD: Two Responses 

 Response 1:
 Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words. -Jeremiah 36:16

Response 2: 
 And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. -Jeremiah 36:23-24

 Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word of God as "quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." The Word of God is never received with indifference: it is either received with reverential fear that brings repentance (Jonah 3) or is rejected in violent anger just like in the case of Stephen's accusers, who, despite being "cut to the heart" by the Word of God, mercilessly stoned him to death (Acts 7:54-58). It is no wonder that when the WORD of GOD became flesh (John 1:1-3, 14), we shamelessly beat Him, lashed at Him, spat on Him and finally, crucified Him to die an agonizing death.

 The question then is what does one do with the Word of God? What does one do with JESUS, The Word of God made flesh? The Word speaks clearly: it is either we believe in Him or not. The choice is clear -- and so is the consequence. As The Word Himself says, "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18)

 As believers, it is a continuous choice that we make in responding to God's Word. Do we willfully disregard it or do we respond to it with the same gladness that spurs obedience (Psalm 119:105-106)? The battle lines are clearly drawn. As the Lord Jesus said, there are no grey areas: friendship of the world is enmity with God (James 4:4).