Jeremiah receives a divine command to write down all the prophecies that God had given him. He instructs Baruch, his scribe, to write these words on a scroll. Baruch then reads the scroll to the people in the temple on a fast day.
Word of the scroll’s content reaches the king’s officials, who summon Baruch to read it to them. They become fearful and urge Baruch and Jeremiah to hide themselves. They report the scroll’s contents to King Jehoiakim, who orders its reading before him.
As the scroll is read, the king reacts by cutting it with a penknife and throwing it into the fire, showing his disregard for God’s word. Despite the king’s actions, he and his officials are unable to destroy all the copies of the scroll.
Jeremiah receives another divine command to rewrite the words on a new scroll and to also add more prophecies concerning Judah and its people. This time, Jeremiah includes a specific judgment against Jehoiakim for his actions.
Although Jeremiah’s life is in danger, God protects him. He commands him not to take a wife or have children, as there will be great calamity coming upon the people of Judah. The chapter ends with Jeremiah dictating the words of the new scroll to Baruch, emphasizing God’s unwavering determination to bring judgment upon Judah for their disobedience.
Click [here](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jeremiah+36&version=KJV) to explore the full chapter of Jeremiah 36 in the King James Version Bible.