A Lesson from Jeremiah 36: It’s the Lord’s Work
Have you ever poured your heart into something, only to watch it fall apart before your eyes? As I was reading Jeremiah 36, this familiar frustration came to life in a powerful way. Yet tucked inside this chapter is a beautiful reminder that the work God calls us to is ultimately His, not ours.
When we study Jeremiah’s obedience and steady faith, we discover spiritual lessons that speak directly to our own walk with the Lord. Today, I want to share the truths God impressed on my heart from Jeremiah 36 and how they encourage us to trust Him even when our efforts seem unnoticed or undone.
Let’s dive into the words of Jeremiah and see what the Lord has for us.
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Please join us as we read God’s Word each week and share your insights on these scriptures as well.
Nuggets of Grace in Jeremiah 36
Have you ever had a project that you really put a lot of effort and energy into, only to have it shot down or destroyed by someone? It can be so frustrating and can even bring about feelings of anger.
That is pretty much the story in Jeremiah chapter 36. Let’s see how Jeremiah handled the situation almost 2,700 years ago.
Jeremiah 36 in a Nutshell
During the days of Jeremiah, the Israelites had fallen away from the Lord’s instruction. The Word of the Lord came to Jeremiah to warn the people of Judah and give them a chance to repent from their wicked ways.
“Perhaps when the house of Judah hears about all the disaster I am planning to bring on them, each one of them will turn from his evil way. Then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Jeremiah 36:3
The Lord told Jeremiah to write down all of the words He gave him for the people to hear. This would be a pretty big task, but Jeremiah was obedient and ready to take it on.
- Jeremiah summoned Baruch, a scribe to write everything down as he dictated it.
- Since Jeremiah was restricted and couldn’t enter the temple, he sent Baruch to read the message on the scroll to all of the people of Jerusalem as they came for the day of fasting.
- Then Baruch read the words of the book to the men of Judah and many other people, including some of the city officials.
- The officials appeared to listen with an open mind, and they even seemed concerned about the message.
- They told Baruch that he and Jeremiah must hide to save their lives, they took the message to the royal palace to share with King Jehoiakim.
- When King Jehoiakim heard the message on Jeremiah’s scroll, he:
- Did not listen or repent in any way.
- He commanded his officials to seize Jeremiah and Baruch, (but the Lord hid them).
- He destroyed the scroll by cutting it into pieces and burning them.
- The Lord came to Jeremiah again and told him to make another scroll and write the original words on this scroll also. This scroll would also share the king’s consequences for ignoring and burning the first scroll.
The Standout Verse
I have read this passage many times, but this time, this verse struck me. I can only imagine how I would feel.
“As soon as Jehudi would read three or four columns, Jehoiakim would cut the scroll with a scribe’s knife and throw the columns into the fire in the hearth until the entire scroll was consumed by the fire in the hearth.” Jeremiah 36:23
Jeremiah’s Response
All indications are that Jeremiah had the right attitude about the whole situation. Imagine all of the work that went into getting a scribe, dictating all of the former words the Lord wanted him to share, and then having it destroyed in an instant!
Nowhere in this passage do I find where Jeremiah was mad or angry in any way. Instead, this was his response:
“Then Jeremiah took another scroll and gave it to Baruch son of Neriah, the scribe, and he wrote on it at Jeremiah’s dictation all the words of the scroll that Jehoiakim, Judah’s king, had burned in the fire. And many other words like them were added.” Jeremiah 36:32
What a great example of obedience!
Lessons for us in Jeremiah 36
When we really take a close look at what was going on here, and put ourselves in not only Jeremiah’s place but also in the place of the people, we get a new understanding. So much of Jeremiah’s story applies to our lives all these years later.
- I can’t help but think that I would have been very upset if someone destroyed a project I had been working on so diligently.
- A big difference between one of my projects and Jeremiah’s is that I would probably have had it saved on my computer; Jeremiah had to start from scratch and redo the entire project a second time!
- Jeremiah knew that it was the Lord’s work and mission. He was just there to do what the Lord wanted him to do.
- The Lord knew that the king was going to destroy the scroll, but He had Jeremiah write it anyway.
- Even though the king destroyed the message, it still served its purpose. Everyone heard the warning. No one could say that they were not given a warning to repent and turn back to the Lord.
- It is good to be fully invested in the work the Lord calls us to. However, when He gives us a task to complete, we just need to be obedient to the call and leave the results to Him.
- We may feel like our work is futile and not serving any purpose. We don’t see all the ways the Lord is using it behind the scenes.
- Jeremiah may have thought his work was pointless after it was destroyed, but we are still reading about it today and learning these lessons. It has been roughly 2,700 years, and the Lord is still using it.
- Don’t get discouraged!
What projects or missions has the Lord assigned to you? How would you feel if someone completely destroyed them?
As best as we can, we need to remember that the work is the Lord’s. He will honor our obedience and use the work He calls us to do in ways we may never know.
Biblical Resources
If you are trying to get started with a daily Bible plan, see Simple Bible Study Ideas for Spiritual Growth. I hope these tips will help you like they have helped me.
These are a few of my favorite Bible study resources:
- She Reads Truth Bible
- Composition Notebook
- Black Pens – These are fine point and work well in Bibles.
I use these in my daily Bible study as well as using this Bible for the Bible graduation project I am doing for my granddaughters.
Takeaways and Life Lessons from Jeremiah 36
As we reflect on Jeremiah chapter 36, several important truths rise to the surface. These truths still apply to our daily lives and the work God calls us to do.
- Obedience matters more than outcomes.
Jeremiah obeyed the Lord fully, even though the scroll was destroyed. God never asked him to guarantee the results. He only asked him to be faithful. - God’s work cannot be undone by human resistance.
King Jehoiakim may have burned the scroll, but he could not stop God’s message or His plan. What God intends will always prevail. - Faithfulness often requires starting again.
Jeremiah had to rewrite the entire message, reminding us that obedience sometimes means repeating hard work without complaint. - Discouragement does not mean failure.
When our efforts seem wasted or ignored, God may still be working behind the scenes in ways we cannot see. - God sees the long-term impact of our obedience.
Nearly 2,700 years later, we are still learning from Jeremiah’s faithfulness. This is proof that God uses obedient lives far beyond what we can see. - Our responsibility is faithfulness; God handles the results.
When we release control and trust the Lord, we free ourselves from frustration and find peace in obedience.
Jeremiah 36 reminds us that when God gives us an assignment (big or small), He carries the responsibility for its impact. Our part is obedience; the results are His.
Even when Jeremiah’s work was literally cut apart and thrown into the fire, God’s purposes still moved forward. The same is true in our lives today.
If you are weary, discouraged, or unsure whether your efforts matter, take heart. The work is the Lord’s, and He uses every act of obedience in ways we may never see on this side of eternity. May this chapter encourage you to keep going, stay faithful, and trust that God is working through you more than you know.
Related Posts
Life Applications and Lessons from Ruth Chapter 1
The Waiting Game
Please share any encouragement and lessons you learned this week as you read the Word of God. I would love to hear your thoughts.
Until next time…
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“From one Man He has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live.” Acts 17:26
(New Testament)
Very important and true lesson. So many good points about God’s part (outcome), our part (obedience), and dealing with possible discouragement
A Good Message. ThankYou Susan For All You Do.Peggy
Thank you so much! Have a wonderful New Year!!!
What a blessed lesson Susan. I love your insights and encouragement within.
Visiting today from Joanne’s
Thank you so much! Have a blessed New Year!