{
  "schema_version": "simple_bible_commentary_page_v1",
  "generated_at": "2026-05-22T11:56:48.795292+00:00",
  "custom_id": "JER_036",
  "testament": "OT",
  "book": "Jeremiah",
  "passage_ref": "Jeremiah 36:1-32",
  "title": "The king burns the scroll",
  "canonical_url": "/commentary/old-testament-simple/jeremiah/jer_036/",
  "json_path": "/data/commentary/old-testament-simple/jeremiah/JER_036.json",
  "simple_summary": "The Lord told Jeremiah to write his words on a scroll and have them read publicly. The people and officials heard the warning, but King Jehoiakim burned the scroll and refused to repent. The Lord then ordered the message written again and added a judgment against the king.",
  "simple_explanation": "This chapter shows that God’s word cannot be destroyed. Jeremiah dictated the Lord’s message to Baruch, and Baruch read it aloud to the people. The message was meant to call Judah to turn from evil so that the Lord would forgive them.\n\nSome officials were alarmed when they heard the scroll. They kept it safe and told the king. But Jehoiakim treated God’s word with contempt. As the scroll was read to him, he cut off sections and threw them into the fire until it was all burned.\n\nHis action did not cancel the Lord’s message. God told Jeremiah to write the words again. He also spoke a new warning against Jehoiakim because the king had refused to listen and had shown no grief over his sin. The chapter makes clear that God’s warnings are serious, repentance is still required, and human rulers cannot silence what God has said.",
  "important_truths": [
    "God told Jeremiah to write down His words on a scroll.",
    "The message was meant to lead Judah to repentance and forgiveness.",
    "Baruch faithfully read the scroll to the people.",
    "Some officials were alarmed and took the warning seriously.",
    "King Jehoiakim burned the scroll and refused to repent.",
    "Burning the scroll did not destroy God’s word.",
    "God ordered the message written again and added judgment against Jehoiakim."
  ],
  "warnings_promises_commands": [
    "Warning: Judah faced disaster because of evil and stubborn refusal to listen.",
    "Promise: If the people turned from evil, the Lord would forgive their sins.",
    "Command: Jeremiah was told to write the words on a scroll.",
    "Command: Baruch was told to read the scroll aloud publicly.",
    "Warning: Jehoiakim would be judged for burning the scroll and refusing the Lord’s word."
  ],
  "gods_plan_connection": "In this covenant setting, God’s written word stands over Judah’s king and court. Their rejection brings judgment, but God preserves His message and continues to call for repentance. This chapter prepares the way for the exile by showing the seriousness of rejecting the Lord’s warning.",
  "simple_application": "We should treat God’s word with reverence and obey it when we hear it. Public religion means little if it does not lead to repentance. Like Jehoiakim, people can harden their hearts against clear warning. But the chapter also encourages us that faithful witness is never wasted, because God preserves His word.",
  "net_bible_attribution": "Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.",
  "source_status": {
    "stage3_status": "not_started",
    "normalized_final_release_status": "",
    "final_release_status": "not_started",
    "stage3_final_release_status": "not_started",
    "operator_review_status": "not_started"
  }
}