Jeremiah’s Second Book

The burning of the scroll was not the end of the matter. It was easier to dispose of the written words than of the swift-coming punishment that God had pronounced against rebellious Israel. But even the written scroll was reproduced. “Take yet another scroll,” the Lord commanded His servant, “and write on it all the former words that were in the first scroll which Jehoiakim the king of Judah burned.” Verse 28. The words were still living in the heart of Jeremiah, “like a burning fire,” and the prophet reproduced what human anger had destroyed.RR 154.5

Taking another scroll, Baruch wrote on it “all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire. And besides, there were added to them many similar words.” Verse 32. Jehoiakim’s very attempt to limit the prophet’s influence gave further opportunity for making the divine requirements plain.RR 154.6

The spirit that led to the persecution of Jeremiah exists today. Many refuse to heed warnings, preferring to listen to false teachers who flatter their vanity and overlook their evil-doing. In the day of trouble such people will have no sure refuge. God’s chosen servants should courageously meet the sufferings that come to them through accusation, neglect, and misrepresentation. They should discharge faithfully the work God has given them, ever remembering that the prophets, the Savior, and His apostles also endured persecution for the Word’s sake.RR 154.7

It was God’s intention for Jehoiakim to obey the counsels of Jeremiah and so win favor with Nebuchadnezzar and save himself much sorrow. The young king had sworn allegiance to the Babylonian ruler, and if he had remained true to his promise he would have won the respect of the heathen. But Judah’s king willfully violated his word of honor and rebelled. This brought bands of raiders against him. Within a few years he closed his disastrous reign in disgrace, rejected by Heaven, unloved by his people, and despised by the rulers of Babylon, whose confidence he had betrayed.RR 155.1

Jehoiachin [also known as Jeconiah, and Coniah], the son of Jehoiakim, occupied the throne only three months and ten days when he surrendered to the Chaldean armies that were once more surrounding the doomed city. Nebuchadnezzar “carried away Jehoiachin captive to Babylon. The king’s mother, the king’s wives, his officers, and the mighty of the land,” several thousand in number, were also taken, together with “craftsmen and smiths, one thousand,” and “all the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house.” 2 Kings 24:15, 16, 13.RR 155.2

The kingdom of Judah, broken in power and robbed of its strength, was nevertheless still permitted to exist as a separate government. At its head Nebuchadnezzar placed Mattaniah, a younger son of Josiah, and changed his name to Zedekiah.RR 155.3