Jeremiah 36: The scroll the fire could not finish

Jeremiah 36 is built around the strange durability of words written on something that can burn. Jeremiah dictates years of prophetic warning to Baruch because Judah still has an opportunity to hear, turn, and receive forgiveness. Since Jeremiah cannot enter the temple, the scroll travels in his place. Baruch reads it publicly, Michaiah carries its substance to royal officials, and those officials summon Baruch to hear the document for themselves. Their fear contrasts with Jehoiakim’s response. In the winter room, the king listens only far enough to cut each portion away and feed it to the fire. He does not tear his garments; he tears the scroll. Yet burning the copy does not reach the source. The Book of Jeremiah orders a second scroll containing the former words, then adds “many like words” besides. The attempted act of suppression therefore produces more writing, not less. The chapter ends with Baruch again taking dictation, while the king’s fire has proved capable of consuming parchment and incapable of finishing the message.