The Bible Says
Jeremiah 36:1-3 Meaning

Jeremiah served as a prophet in Judah from around 627 BC to shortly after 586 BC, speaking the words he received from the LORD during a tumultuous period in the nation’s history. The political scene during his ministry was dominated by rising foreign powers, and internally, Judah’s kings and people often rebelled against God’s commandments. Against this backdrop, we read, In the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying (v. 1). Jehoiakim, who reigned from 609 to 598 BC, had assumed the throne following the death of his father Josiah, a king known for his attempts at religious reforms. Now, in his fourth year, the LORD specifically speaks to Jeremiah to deliver a vital message concerning the fate of the kingdom.

The mention of Jehoiakim highlights the political and spiritual climate of the time. Though Jehoiakim was a son of a righteous king, he did not follow in Josiah’s footsteps of devotion and obedience. Instead, he led Judah back into idolatry and political alliances that contradicted the covenant with God. By specifying it was the fourth year of Jehoiakim (v. 1), Scripture anchors the prophecy in a precise historical context. This specificity underscores the urgency of God’s word, as events were unfolding that posed a grave threat to Judah’s continued existence.

The phrase this word came to Jeremiah from the LORD (v. 1) reveals that Jeremiah’s message was not rooted in his personal opinions but in God’s direct revelation. This demonstrates divine authority, emphasizing that the prophet’s warnings were trustworthy and carried the full weight of divine command. As throughout Jeremiah’s ministry, these declarations were meant to bring the people of Judah into reflection and repentance, pointing them back to faithfulness and obedience to the covenant.

The LORD’s instructions deepen when God tells Jeremiah, "Take a scroll and write on it all the words which I have spoken to you concerning Israel and concerning Judah and concerning all the nations, from the day I first spoke to you, from the days of Josiah, even to this day" (v. 2). Writing on a scroll served a few significant purposes. First, it preserved God’s message for future generations, demonstrating that His words were meant to endure even if the immediate hearers rejected them. Second, it served as a legal and covenantal record, paralleling how ancient legal codes and treaties were meticulously documented for public awareness and accountability.

The call to record all the words (v. 2) points to the comprehensive scope of Jeremiah’s prior prophecies. These were not scattered ideas but a unified message from the LORD that consistently highlighted Judah’s covenant obligations and potential consequences for disobedience. By mentioning Israel, Judah, and all the nations (v. 2), the Scripture underscores the broad reach of Jeremiah’s declarations and God’s authority over multiple kingdoms. Though Judah was in immediate focus, God maintained His sovereignty over every land, reinforcing that His judgments or blessings could extend anywhere.

Writing on a scroll was also a tangible sign of God’s mercy: rather than simply condemning, He reiterates warnings so that repentance could occur. This method of conveying His word shows that God does not desire judgment for its own sake; instead, He desires that people would turn back to Him. The very act of preserving His message signified a hope that at least some would read, comprehend, and realign themselves with God when they saw the seriousness and permanence of what was recorded.

The LORD clarifies the purpose of these warnings when He says, "Perhaps the house of Judah will hear all the calamity which I plan to bring on them, in order that every man will turn from his evil way; then I will forgive their iniquity and their sin" (v. 3). God’s word to Judah was never just about informing them of destruction; it was ultimately aimed at bringing them back into covenant fellowship. The use of, "Perhaps," shows God’s longing for a response, hinting that the opportunity for repentance is genuine, and divine mercy awaits anyone willing to turn away from evil.

Jeremiah 36:3 highlights the patience and compassion of God. Tragically, much of Jeremiah’s generation underestimated or outright refused that mercy, trusting instead in national alliances or idolatrous practices. Yet the promise of then I will forgive (v. 3) demonstrates the Father’s heart––He is ready to forgive if genuine repentance occurs. The people of Judah would have recognized this call as consistent with the covenant established in earlier generations, reminding them that restoration was always possible if they came back to God wholeheartedly.

By inviting every person in Judah to hear and repent, God reveals that salvation and forgiveness are never restricted to a small group or a particular social class. Instead, every man underscores individual responsibility. Each person stands accountable for how they respond to God’s words, and each person equally has direct access to the LORD’s mercy. This message resonates through all Scripture, ultimately pointing toward the gracious sacrifice of Christ, where forgiveness is extended to all who believe and repent (Romans 10:9-13).