Contemplative Bible Reading

Jeremiah 36:23-24 (New International Version)

23 Whenever Jehudi had read three or four columns of the scroll, the king cut them off with a scribe’s knife and threw them into the firepot, until the entire scroll was burned in the fire. 24 The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.

This is an account of King Jehoiakim burning scriptures in a firepot. Jeremiah the prophet received words directly from God and had them written on a scroll. The words were not pleasant for King Jehoiakim, but they were just.

Jehoiakim didn’t like the words, so to show his contempt for the prophet and God’s words, he cut one line at a time from the scroll and burned it. While doing this, Jehoiakim and his attendants showed no fear, no respect for God.

I have not seen anyone literally do something like this during my life. I have never seen someone take a Bible, cut out a verse they didn’t like, and burn it with a match.

I have seen people do this figuratively. They sort of burned a verse or two like “love one another” but put it back later. It is like we have a copy of God’s word, but we also have some Xerox copies. We burn one copy one day, but replace it the next from a copy in the closet when we are in a better mood.

Jehoiakim ignored God; he disdained God, and he showed no remorse. He did these things literally in front of witnesses. Sometimes we do these things, but we hide them from others. God sees through our hiding.

God, I know you see in my heart all the time. Help me to keep your word there. Help me to live your word daily.