Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

16 August 2024

Reading From Jeremiah 35-37

“In the fourth year of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Take a scroll and write on it all the words I have spoken to you concerning Israel, Judah and all the other nations from the time I began speaking to you in the reign of Josiah till now. Perhaps when the people of Judah hear about every disaster I plan to inflict on them, they will each turn from their wicked ways; then I will forgive their wickedness and their sin.”

Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes. Even though Elnathan, Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. Instead, the king commanded Jerahmeel, a son of the king, Seraiah son of Azriel and Shelemiah son of Abdeel to arrest Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet. But the Lord had hidden them.

So Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to the scribe Baruch son of Neriah, and as Jeremiah dictated, Baruch wrote on it all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And many similar words were added to them.

–Jeremiah 36:1-3, 23-26, 32

     We have learned from the Proverbs that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but here in Jeremiah we discover that the opposite is true.  When people do not fear God, their way leads to destruction.  King Jehoiakim and the members of his court were not afraid of Yahweh.  He is the Supreme God of the Universe, no one is more powerful than our God and yet the courtiers did not even flinch when Jehoiakim staged a book burning of the Bible right in front of them, page after page, no regard for the Word of God. 

     This attempt to destroy the Bible is nothing new.  Generations of godless tyrants have tried to consolidate their power by confiscating and burn the love letters from God to humanity, but this effort will never succeed.  God has sealed His Word in the heavens, far out of reach from those who would seek to eliminate it from the Earth. 

     For His children struggling to survive in nations where Christians are persecuted, it is especially vital for them to hid His Word in their hearts.  There are countless stories of our brothers and sisters obtaining tiny scraps of Scripture and memorizing it so that they have a lifeline of hope in this dark world.  All of us should take their example to heart and treasure the written record of the Lord’s precious promises.  Hide His Word in your heart, study it, meditate upon it, share it with others by the authority of Jesus, and put it into practice in our daily lives.

“Your Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path.  Thank You Lord that You love us enough to keep the promises You’ve made to us.  Your Word is life to Your children.  I pray that we would cherish the Scriptures and not take them for granted.  Bless us with the strength and courage we need to put Your truth into practice each day.  Give us wisdom and knowledge to rightly divide it and properly understand it.  Holy Spirit, illuminate and guide us into all truth by Your power of divine revelation.  In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.”

I will bow down toward your holy temple
    and will praise your name
    for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,
for you have so exalted your solemn decree
    that it surpasses your fame.

–Psalm 138:2

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

–II Timothy 2:15

My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

–Proverbs 3:1-2