When God's Word Can't Be Silenced: The Cost of Truth & Obedience

Be God's Glory
2 days ago
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Welcome to Day 235 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Jeremiah. Chapters 36–38 of Jeremiah reveal the unstoppable nature of God’s Word and the personal cost of proclaiming truth in a rebellious nation. Despite attempts to burn the scroll and silence the prophet, God’s message continued, proving that His Word cannot be destroyed by human hands. Jeremiah’s ministry in these chapters shows the tension between divine authority and human resistance, as kings and leaders struggled to suppress his message. Yet, in the face of rejection, imprisonment, and even death threats, Jeremiah remained faithful to God’s call. These chapters remind us that obedience to God often requires courage, perseverance, and trust, even when it places us in opposition to worldly powers.

Jeremiah 36

In Jeremiah 36, God commanded Jeremiah to write all the words of prophecy He had spoken against Judah and the nations. Jeremiah dictated them to his scribe Baruch, who read the scroll publicly to the people, hoping they would repent. When the officials brought the scroll to King Jehoiakim, instead of humbling himself, the king cut the scroll piece by piece and burned it in the fire. This act symbolized Judah’s hardened heart and outright rejection of God’s Word. Yet God instructed Jeremiah to rewrite the scroll with even more words of judgment, showing that His Word cannot be destroyed. The chapter highlights God’s unyielding authority and the futility of trying to silence His voice.

Jeremiah 37

In Jeremiah 37, King Zedekiah came to power and showed some interest in Jeremiah’s prayers, yet he continued to disobey God’s Word. When the Babylonians temporarily withdrew from Jerusalem because of Egypt’s advance, many thought the danger had passed. But God revealed through Jeremiah that Babylon would return and capture the city, proving false hopes to be empty. Jeremiah was accused of deserting to the enemy and was thrown into prison, suffering for faithfully delivering God’s message. Even so, when King Zedekiah secretly asked him for guidance, Jeremiah boldly declared the truth of Babylon’s victory. This chapter demonstrates both the stubborn resistance of leaders and Jeremiah’s unwavering commitment to speak God’s truth, regardless of personal cost.

Jeremiah 38

In Jeremiah 38, the prophet faced even harsher opposition as officials accused him of weakening the morale of the people. They convinced King Zedekiah to allow them to throw Jeremiah into a cistern, where he sank into the mud and faced certain death. Yet God raised up an unlikely helper—Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian court official—who courageously interceded for Jeremiah’s life and rescued him from the pit. Later, Zedekiah again sought Jeremiah’s counsel in secret, but he still feared the opinions of men more than obedience to God. The chapter reveals both the hostility of those who reject God’s message and the mercy of God in preserving His servant. It shows that while human leaders waver, God’s purposes stand firm and He uses even unexpected people to accomplish His will.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The name Jeremiah comes from the Hebrew Yirmĕyāhû or Yirmĕyāh, meaning “Yahweh will exalt,” “Yahweh appoints,” or “The Lord establishes.” This meaning reflects Jeremiah’s prophetic calling, as God appointed him before his birth to be “a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5). The name itself is a prophetic statement of God’s sovereignty and purpose in raising up His messengers.

Purpose of the Book:

The Book of Jeremiah serves as both a record of God’s judgment and His invitation to repentance. Written during a time of national decline in Judah (late 7th to early 6th century B.C.), its purpose is to:

Warn Judah of the coming Babylonian invasion as a consequence of their covenant unfaithfulness.
Call the people to repentance, offering them the hope of restoration if they return to God.
Explain the fall of Jerusalem and the exile as part of God’s sovereign plan.
Provide hope for the future, pointing toward a new covenant where God’s law would be written on the hearts of His people (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

It is both a book of judgment and a book of hope—showing God’s justice in punishing sin and His mercy in promising restoration.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

The prophet Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, is credited as the author of the book, with assistance from his scribe Baruch son of Neriah.

Biblical evidence for Jeremiah as the author includes:

Jeremiah 1:1–2 – Clearly identifies Jeremiah, son of Hilkiah, as the prophet who received the words of the Lord.
Jeremiah 36:1–4 – God commands Jeremiah to dictate His words to Baruch, who writes them down on a scroll.
Jeremiah 36:32 – After King Jehoiakim burns the first scroll, Jeremiah dictates the same words again to Baruch, along with additional messages.
2 Chronicles 35:25 – Mentions Jeremiah writing laments for King Josiah.
Daniel 9:2 – Refers to “the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet” as authoritative Scripture, confirming early recognition of his writings.

External historical sources also support Jeremiah’s authorship:

The Babylonian Talmud (Baba Bathra 14b–15a) lists Jeremiah as the author of his prophetic book, the Book of Kings, and Lamentations.
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 10, Chapter 5) records Jeremiah as the prophet who warned of Jerusalem’s fall and wrote about it.
Ancient Septuagint manuscripts (Greek translation of the Old Testament, 3rd–2nd century B.C.) attribute the prophecies to Jeremiah, though in slightly different order than the Hebrew text.

Key People:

Jeremiah – The “weeping prophet,” called by God to warn Judah of coming judgment and to urge repentance.
Baruch son of Neriah – Jeremiah’s faithful scribe who recorded and preserved his messages.
King Josiah – The last godly king of Judah, under whom Jeremiah began his ministry.
King Jehoiakim – Rejected Jeremiah’s warnings and burned his prophetic scroll.
King Zedekiah – The last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile; vacillated between listening to Jeremiah and fearing his officials.
Nebuchadnezzar – King of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and carried the people into exile.
Ebed-Melek – An Ethiopian court official who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern.
False prophets like Hananiah – Opposed Jeremiah’s message, promising peace when judgment was coming.

Conclusion

The Book of Jeremiah ends with the tragic reality of Jerusalem’s destruction and Judah’s exile to Babylon (chapters 39–52), fulfilling the very warnings Jeremiah proclaimed for decades. Yet, it is not a message of despair—it also points forward to God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises. The prophecies of a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31–34) and future restoration reveal God’s ultimate plan to redeem His people. Jeremiah’s ministry demonstrates that God’s word is unchanging, His justice is certain, and His mercy is always available to those who return to Him with a sincere heart. Even in judgment, God is working for the good of His people and the fulfillment of His redemptive purposes.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

Jeremiah 36

God’s Character:In Jeremiah 36, God reveals Himself as the God whose Word endures and cannot be destroyed. Even though King Jehoiakim burned the scroll, God commanded Jeremiah to rewrite it, proving that His Word is eternal and beyond the reach of human rejection. God’s character here shows His patience in giving His people yet another opportunity to repent, but also His justice in declaring judgment when they continue in rebellion. He is faithful to speak truth even when people refuse to listen, and His sovereignty reminds us that no king or authority can silence Him.

While no specific Hebrew name of God is explicitly mentioned in Jeremiah 36, His character reflects Him as Elohim, the Creator and supreme authority, whose Word carries power and authority over nations. The lesson is clear: no one can erase or destroy what God has decreed. His Word stands above every ruler’s pride and every attempt to silence Him. For us today, this teaches that even in a world where truth is often rejected, God’s Word remains unshakable, and we are called to trust and proclaim it without fear.

Jeremiah 37

In Jeremiah 37, God demonstrates that He is both truthful and unchanging, even when leaders like Zedekiah waver and resist obedience. Though Zedekiah secretly sought God’s word, he lacked the courage to follow it, showing that God’s Word is not for convenience but for complete surrender. The lesson here is that God calls us to trust Him fully, even when circumstances seem favorable or unfavorable. We cannot manipulate His promises; instead, He requires obedience, trust, and faithfulness to His truth.

Jeremiah 38

In Jeremiah 38, God shows Himself as the Preserver and Protector of His servants. Though Jeremiah was cast into the cistern to die, God raised up Ebed-melech, an unlikely helper, to rescue him, proving that the Lord watches over His faithful ones even in the darkest places. This reveals God’s compassion and sovereignty in using unexpected people to fulfill His purposes. For us, the lesson is that God will never abandon His children, and He can send help from unexpected sources when we feel surrounded by opposition. His character reminds us to depend on His deliverance, trust His timing, and remain steadfast in proclaiming His truth.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?

How does God’s persistence in having Jeremiah record His words in Jeremiah 36 reflect His patience and mercy?
What does God’s willingness to warn Judah repeatedly say about His love and justice?
How does God show His sovereignty over kings and nations in these chapters?
In Jeremiah 36, what does God’s desire for repentance reveal about His compassion?
How does God protect His prophet Jeremiah when rulers try to silence him (Jeremiah 36:26)?
In Jeremiah 37–38, how do God’s unchanging words show His faithfulness even when leaders and people reject them?
How does God’s character as truth and justice contrast with the deception of Judah’s leaders?

Questions About Themes:

How does the burning of the scroll in Jeremiah 36 highlight the theme of rejecting God’s word?
In what ways do these chapters emphasize the theme of obedience versus rebellion?
How is the theme of God’s word being unstoppable despite human opposition revealed?
How does Jeremiah 37 reveal the theme of false hope in political alliances rather than trusting God?
In Jeremiah 38, how is the theme of persecution for speaking truth shown in Jeremiah’s imprisonment?
What role does the theme of leadership failure play in these chapters, particularly through King Jehoiakim and King Zedekiah?
How does the theme of God’s sovereignty over history run through these three chapters?

Reflective Application Questions:

How do you respond when God’s word challenges your comfort or confronts your sin—like Jehoiakim did, or with humility?
What steps can you take to remain faithful to God’s word even when others reject or mock it?
How can Jeremiah’s courage in speaking truth inspire you to stand firm in difficult situations?
In what ways do we sometimes place trust in human solutions, like Zedekiah’s hope in Egypt, instead of fully relying on God?
How do these chapters encourage you to value and protect God’s word in your daily life?
When facing opposition for your faith, how can you draw strength from God’s unchanging truth?
What does Jeremiah’s perseverance in the face of rejection teach you about living with boldness and trust in God today?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans