Question 1

Why did God tell Jeremiah to write His words on a scroll?

Accepted Answer

God told Jeremiah to write all the words He had spoken against Israel, Judah, and the nations on a scroll so the message would not be lost or ignored. Up to this point Jeremiah had spoken these warnings, but now they were to be written down and kept. The goal was not only to record judgment, but to give the people another chance to hear clearly what God was saying, think about it, and turn from their evil ways. By putting it in writing, the message could be read again and again, reaching many people and later generations.

Question 2

Who was Baruch and what did he do in this passage?

Accepted Answer

Baruch was the son of Neriah and served as Jeremiah’s scribe. Jeremiah spoke the words God had given him, and Baruch carefully wrote them down on a scroll. Because Jeremiah was shut up and could not go to the temple, Baruch also acted as his messenger. He took the scroll to the house of the Lord and read God’s words aloud to all the people gathered there, including those who had come from the cities of Judah. Baruch’s obedience shows how God uses different people working together to spread His word.

Question 3

Why was the scroll read on a fasting day in the temple?

Accepted Answer

The scroll was read on a fasting day because many people from Jerusalem and the cities of Judah would be gathered at the temple, humbling themselves before God. A fast was often called when people were afraid of war or judgment and wanted to seek God’s help. Jeremiah hoped that when they heard about the anger and fury God had pronounced, they would not just go through religious motions, but truly pray, confess their sins, and turn from their evil ways. The fasting day gave a serious setting for this hard but merciful message.

Question 4

What does this passage teach about repentance and forgiveness?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows that God warns of coming judgment so people will repent, not because He enjoys punishing. Twice the hope is stated: “It may be” they will hear, pray, and return from their evil way, and then God will forgive their iniquity and sin. Repentance here means more than feeling bad; it means each person turning from their own wrong path. When people do that, God is ready to show mercy. The passage links hearing God’s word, honest prayer, turning from sin, and the promise of forgiveness.

Question 5

What was happening in Judah when these words were given and read?

Accepted Answer

These events happen during the reign of King Jehoiakim, son of Josiah. The people of Judah had long refused to listen to God’s warnings. Enemies, especially from the north, were a real threat, and a fast was proclaimed, likely out of fear of judgment and war. God had been speaking through Jeremiah for many years, from the days of Josiah, but the people remained stubborn. Writing the scroll and reading it publicly was another attempt from God to reach them before disaster came, showing His patience even as judgment drew near.

Question 6

Why was Jeremiah unable to go into the house of the Lord himself?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah says, “I am shut up; I cannot go into the house of the Lord.” This likely means he was restrained in some way, probably kept from public ministry by those who opposed his message, possibly even imprisoned. Because of this, he could not personally stand in the temple and speak to the crowd. Instead, he entrusted this work to Baruch. This detail shows that even when God’s servant is limited or blocked, God can still send out His word through other willing people and keep His message moving.

Question 7

What does this passage show about the importance of God’s written word?

Accepted Answer

This passage highlights how important it is that God’s words are written down. Spoken warnings can be forgotten, twisted, or ignored, but the scroll kept a clear record of everything God had said over many years. The written word could be read in public, shared widely, and preserved. It became a lasting witness to the people’s sin, God’s patience, and His offer of forgiveness. Today this reminds us that Scripture is not just an old record, but God’s chosen way to keep His voice before us so we can hear, remember, and respond.

Question 8

How can this passage about Jeremiah and Baruch apply to my life today?

Accepted Answer

This passage can shape how you view the Bible and your response to it. God did not have His words written just to fill a scroll, but so people would hear, take them to heart, and turn from sin. You can ask yourself if you only hear Scripture or if you let it lead you to real change. Like Baruch, you may not be a prophet, but you can faithfully read, share, and obey God’s word where you are. It also encourages you to seek God with humility, not empty religion, trusting that He is ready to forgive.

Jeremiah 36:1

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,

Jeremiah’s Scroll Read in the Temple

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Jeremiah 36:1

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,

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Jeremiah’s Scroll Read in the Temple

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