EGW WritingsJeremiah 36

The Paulson Collection of Ellen G. White Letters

April 17, 1907

PC 80.1

“Now the king sat in the winter house in the ninth month, and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. And it came to pass when Jehudi had read three or four pages, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was upon the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments; neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.” (Jeremiah 36:1-25)

PC 80.3

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king burned the roll, and the words which Baruch spake at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned. And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast burned this roll saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast? Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.” (Jeremiah 36:27-31)

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 16a, 1885

4LtMs, Ms 16a, 1885, par. 39

It is a beautiful morning. We have no seasickness as yet. Last evening we enjoyed a beautiful sunset. The broad ocean was all that we could see surrounding us, and the sun went out of sight in the broad waters. We went into the dining room to attend services. Under the Episcopalian services, prayers were read, and chapters in the Old and New Testaments that were very appropriate for the occasion. The hymns sung were excellent in sentiment. The chapter read first was in Jeremiah. The second was in the New Testament in regard to the shipwreck of Paul. I wrote eight pages and prepared a reported article for the press. We were on deck most of the time.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 12 (1897)

Lt 66, 1897

12LtMs, Lt 66, 1897, par. 9

Please read and study carefully the thirty-sixth chapter of Jeremiah. This has been presented to me as a warning from the Lord to those in Battle Creek. “And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king. So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll, and he took it out of Elishama the scribe’s chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king. Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month; and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.

12LtMs, Lt 66, 1897, par. 10

“And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife and cast it into the fire that was one the hearth, until the roll was all consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither did the king, nor any of his servants that heard all of these words. Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll; but he would not hear them. But the king commanded Jerameel the son of Hammelech, and Seraiah the son of Azriel, and Shelemiah the son of Abdeel, to take Baruch the scribe and Jeremiah the prophet; but the Lord hid them.” [Verses 20-26.] Things will be done in our day and generation similar to the things that were done in the days of Jeremiah.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Lt 152, 1907

22LtMs, Lt 152, 1907, par. 14

In the thirty-sixth chapter of Jeremiah is recorded an act on the part of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, that our people would do well to study. “And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the Lord, saying, Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin. Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which He had spoken unto him, upon the roll of a book.

22LtMs, Lt 152, 1907, par. 19

“Now the king sat in the winter house in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. And it came to pass when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was upon the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments; neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. Nevertheless Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.” [Verses 1-8, 11-25.]

22LtMs, Lt 152, 1907, par. 21

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch spake at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned. And thou shalt say to Jehoiakim king of Judah, Thus saith the Lord; Thou hast burned this roll saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast? Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they harkened not.” [Verses 27-31.]

Sermons and Talks, vol. 2

Manuscript 65, 1912

2SAT 331.3

[Jeremiah 36:1-7, quoted.] This chapter is a record of historical events that will be repeated. Let all who desire to receive warning, read carefully. [Jeremiah 36:22, 23, 27, 28, 32, quoted.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Ms 65, 1912

25LtMs, Ms 65, 1912, par. 20

“Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the Lord, which He had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book. And Jeremiah commanded Baruch, saying, I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the Lord: therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the Lord in the ears of the people in the Lord’s house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities. It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return every one from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath pronounced against this people.” Jeremiah 36:1-7.

25LtMs, Ms 65, 1912, par. 22

“Now the king sat in the winter-house in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him. And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth.” Jeremiah 36:22, 23.

25LtMs, Ms 65, 1912, par. 23

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, and the words which Baruch wrote at the mouth of Jeremiah, saying, Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned. ... Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.” Jeremiah 36:27, 28, 32.

From Splendor to Shadow

The Perversity of King Jehoiakim

SS 224.4

About this time the Lord commanded Jeremiah to write the messages. “Take a scroll and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations, from the day I spoke to you, from the days of Josiah until today. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Jeremiah 36:2, 3, RSV.

SS 225.1

In obedience to this command, Jeremiah called his faithful friend, Baruch the scribe, and dictated “all the words of the Lord, which He had spoken unto him.” Verse 4. These were written on a roll of parchment and constituted a warning of the sure result of continual apostasy and an earnest appeal for the renunciation of all evil.

SS 225.2

Jeremiah, still a prisoner, sent Baruch to read the roll to the multitudes at the temple on a national fast day. “It may be,” the prophet said, “their supplication will come before the Lord, and that every one will turn from his evil way, for great is the anger and wrath that the Lord has pronounced against this people.” Verse 7, RSV.

SS 225.4

Jehoiakim immediately ordered the roll read in his hearing. One of the royal attendants, Jehudi, began reading the words of reproof and warning. It was winter, and the king and princes were gathered about an open fire. The king, far from trembling at the danger hanging over himself and his people, seized the roll and in a frenzy of rage “cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire ... until all the roll was consumed.” Verse 23.

SS 225.5

Neither the king nor his princes “was afraid, nor rent their garments.” Certain of the princes, however, “had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.” The wicked king sent for Jeremiah and Baruch to be taken, “but the Lord hid them.” Verses 24-26.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 35—Approaching Doom

PK 432.2

It was about this time that the Lord commanded Jeremiah to commit to writing the messages He desired to bear to those for whose salvation His heart of pity was continually yearning. “Take thee a roll of a book,” the Lord bade His servant, “and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Jeremiah 36:2, 3.

PK 432.3

In obedience to this command, Jeremiah called to his aid a faithful friend, Baruch the scribe, and dictated “all the words of the Lord, which He had spoken unto him.” Verse 4. These were carefully written out on a roll of parchment and constituted a solemn reproof for sin, a warning of the sure result of continual apostasy, and an earnest appeal for the renunciation of all evil.

PK 433.1

When the writing was completed, Jeremiah, who was still a prisoner, sent Baruch to read the roll to the multitudes who were assembling at the temple on the occasion of a national fast day, “in the fifth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, in the ninth month.” “It may be,” the prophet said, “they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return everyone from his evil way: for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath pronounced against this people.” Verses 9, 7.

PK 433.3

When King Jehoiakim was told by the princes what Baruch had read, he immediately ordered the roll brought before him and read in his hearing. One of the royal attendants, Jehudi by name, fetched the roll and began reading the words of reproof and warning. It was the time of winter, and the king and his companions of state, the princes of Judah, were gathered about an open fire. Only a small portion had been read, when the king, far from trembling at the danger hanging over himself and his people, seized the roll and in a frenzy of rage “cut it with the penknife and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed.” Verse 23.

PK 434.1

Neither the king nor his princes were afraid “nor rent their garments.” Certain of the princes, however, “had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.” The writing having been destroyed, the wrath of the wicked king rose against Jeremiah and Baruch, and he forthwith sent for them to be taken; “but the Lord hid them.” Verses 24-26.

PK 435.1

In bringing to the attention of the temple worshipers, and of the princes and king, the written admonitions contained in the inspired roll, God was graciously seeking to warn the men of Judah for their good. “It may be,” He said, “the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Verse 3. God pities men struggling in the blindness of perversity; He seeks to enlighten the darkened understanding by sending reproofs and threatenings designed to cause the most exalted to feel their ignorance and to deplore their errors. He endeavors to help the self-complacent to become dissatisfied with their vain attainments and to seek for spiritual blessing through a close connection with heaven.

PK 436.1

“Thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them.” Jeremiah 36:30, 31.

PK 437.1

Taking another roll, Jeremiah gave it to Baruch, “who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.” Verses 28, 32. The wrath of man had sought to prevent the labors of the prophet of God; but the very means by which Jehoiakim had endeavored to limit the influence of the servant of Jehovah, gave further opportunity for making plain the divine requirements.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 38, 1891

7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 8

The word came unto Jeremiah the prophet from the Lord, saying, “Take thee a roll of a book, and write all the words I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah even unto this day. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them, that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity, and pardon their sins.” [Jeremiah 36:2, 3.] This is the way the Lord works; this is His plan to correct and save the erring.

7LtMs, Lt 38, 1891, par. 9

All the heavenly intelligences are looking with intense interest to see the result of the messages which the Lord sends. They are working with the messengers of God to bring the erring to repentance. The Scripture continues, “It may be they will present their supplications before the Lord, and will return every one from his evil way; for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath [pronounced] against this people.” [Verse 7.] “The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, after that the king had burned the roll, ... saying, Take thee again another roll, and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which the king had burned. ... And there were added besides unto them many like words.” [Verses 27, 28, 32.]

Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4

The Warnings of God Rejected

4T 177.1

The prophet Jeremiah, in obedience to the commands of God, dictated the words that the Lord gave him to Baruch, his scribe, who wrote them upon a roll. See Jeremiah 36:4. This message was a reproof of the many sins of Israel and a warning of the consequences that would follow a continuance of their evil course. It was an earnest appeal for them to renounce their sins. After it was written, Jeremiah, who was a prisoner, sent his scribe to read the roll to all the people who had assembled “in the Lord’s house upon the fasting day.” Said the prophet: “It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return everyone from his evil way; for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath pronounced against this people.”

Testimony for the Church — No. 27

Jeremiah.

T27 51.2

The prophet Jeremiah, in obedience to the commands of God, dictated the words that the Lord gave him to Baruch his scribe, who wrote them upon a roll. (See Jeremiah 36:4.) It was a reproof of the many sins of Israel and a warning of the consequences that would follow a continuance of their evil course. It was an earnest appeal for them to renounce their sins. After it was written, Jeremiah, who was a prisoner, sent his scribe to read the roll to all the people who had assembled “in the Lord’s house upon the fasting day.” Said the prophet, “It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return every one from his evil way; for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath pronounced against this people.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 7 (1891-1892)

Lt 35, 1891

7LtMs, Lt 35, 1891, par. 23

“And it came to pass, that when Jehudi had read three or four leaves, he cut it with the penknife, and cast it into the fire that was on the hearth, until all the roll was consumed in the fire that was on the hearth. Yet they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words. Nevertheless, Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah had made intercession to the king that he would not burn the roll: but he would not hear them.” [Jeremiah 36:21-25.]

7LtMs, Lt 35, 1891, par. 26

“Therefore thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they harkened not. Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah; who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire; and there were added besides unto them many like words.” [Verses 26-32.]

From Splendor to Shadow

Jeremiah’s Second Book

SS 226.4

The burning of the roll was not the end of the matter. The written words were more easily disposed of than the swift-coming punishment God had pronounced against rebellious Israel. But even the written roll was reproduced. “Take thee again another roll,” the Lord commanded His servant, “and write in it all the former words that were in the first roll, which Jehoiakim the king of Judah hath burned.” Verse 28. The words were still living in the heart of Jeremiah, “as a burning fire,” and the prophet reproduced that which the wrath of man had destroyed.

SS 227.1

Taking another roll, Baruch wrote therein “all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire: and there were added besides unto them many like words.” Verse 32. The means by which Jehoiakim had endeavored to limit the influence of the prophet gave further opportunity for making plain the divine requirements.

From Splendor to Shadow

How God Tries to Save Us

SS 226.3

But King Jehoiakim and his lords, in their arrogance and pride, would not heed the warning and repent. The gracious opportunity offered them at the time of the burning of the sacred roll was their last. God declared He would visit with special wrath the man who had proudly lifted himself up against the Almighty. “Thus saith the Lord of Jehoiakim king of Judah; He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David: and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost.” Jeremiah 36:30.