Jeremiah 36:1-3

I. The commandment received (Jeremiah 36:1-3)

Jeremiah was commanded by the Lord to take a roll of a book (Jeremiah 36:2). The writing substance here is no doubt papyrus. Several pieces were stitched together and attached to a roller of wood at one or both ends. The writing was arranged in columns parallel to the rollers, so that as the scroll was gradually unrolled from one end to the other, the successive columns could be read. Upon this scroll Jeremiah is commanded to record all the words which he has spoken (Jeremiah 36:2). Some have suggested that Jeremiah had fragmentary written records which he used in compiling the first edition of his book, While this is not impossible it seems more likely that the prophet relied upon his memory, guided and aided, of course, by the Holy Spirit. At any rate the book was to contain excerpts from his twenty-three year ministry.

God's purpose for issuing the command to commit the divine word to writing is clearly outlined in Jeremiah 36:3. Three goals are in view: (1) that they will hear the word, not in a physical sense, but in a spiritual sense i.e., in the sense of observing, heeding, taking it to heart; (2) that by hearing the word they might thereby be converted; and (3) that God might, in view of their conversion, be able to forgive their iniquity and sin. Perhaps the recent invasion of the area by Nebuchadnezzar and the capture of Jerusalem would make the people more receptive to the threats of destruction by the enemy from the north. At any rate by ordering His prophet to produce a copy of the inspired word, God was endeavoring once again to lead His people to repentance. One has to ask with Isaiah, What could have been done more? (Isaiah 5:4).

2. The commandment executed (Jeremiah 36:4)

Jeremiah complied with the commandment of the Lord by securing Baruch the son of Neriah to be his scribe. Why did not Jeremiah himself pen the words? It is not necessary to conclude that Jeremiah could not write. Indeed there are hints within the book that the prophet did on occasion take the pen in hand (see Jeremiah 32:10 and Jeremiah 51:60). It may be that Baruch was employed merely to relieve some of the burden of producing such a massive work. Anyone who has undertaken an extensive writing project knows the inestimable value of a good secretary. Josephus relates that Baruch was exceptionally well instructed in his native tongue.[309] Baruch, who appeared for the first time in Jeremiah 32:12, seems to have been from a noble family. His brother Seraiah was in the royal service (Jeremiah 51:59) and according to Josephus his grandfather was Maaseiah (2 Chronicles 34:8), the governor of the city.

[309] Antiquities X. 9. 1.

Just exactly how long it took to complete the writing of the scroll is not stated. It may have been a matter of days or weeks. The writing began in the fourth year of Jehoiakim; the scroll was publicly read in the fifth year and the ninth month. Assuming that the public reading of the scroll took place some time very soon after the writing, some scholars would posit as much as a year or more for the writing process. It is best however to leave the matter of the length of time involved an open question.