v1-3: This chapter precedes previous chapters. But there is a contrast in the Rechabites’ faithfulness and the king’s obstinacy. Since the original writing was lost, through being burnt, the prophet may only have inserted it later. The book of Jeremiah is not now in chronological order, which is consistent with this incident.

Jeremiah had to write down everything the Lord had told him. This covered a period of 21 years; the final 18 years of Josiah’s reign, the brief reign of Jehoahaz, and the first three years of Jehoiakim.

v4-5: At this time, however, Jeremiah was imprisoned. He was not free to proclaim God’s word. Baruch, his assistant, had the task of doing this. Even Jeremiah’s imprisonment provided his opportunity to have his words dictated, so the time was not wasted.

v6: Baruch had to read out the words from God in the temple, and to all the people of Judah.

v7: Since God was angry with His people, the challenge of the words was to bring repentance.

v8: Baruch obeyed. He doubtless became a faithful friend to Jeremiah.

v9: Religious form, “a time of fasting before the Lord,” presumably because of the threat from Babylon. But it seems there was little reality and devotion. Subsequent events suggest that there was no desire to honour the true God.

v10: Baruch used the opportunity to proclaim the word to the people while they fasted.

v11-15: The princes and leaders listened to Baruch’s words;

• Elishama the Scribe;
• Delaiah, son of Shemaiah;
• Elnathan, son of Acbor;
• Gemariah, son of Shaphan, and father of Micaiah, v10-11;
• Zedekiah, son of Hananiah.

v16-18: It seems the leaders had some respect for Jeremiah. Like the first century leaders, they were impressed;

• “they were astonished at His teaching” (Mark 1.22);
• “What new doctrine is this?” (Mark 1.27);
• “Where did this man get this wisdom?” (Matt 13.54).

v19: The leaders expected that the king would not listen to Jeremiah’s words.

v20-26: The leaders had the words written by the prophet read to the king. But, as Jehudi read the scroll, the king destroyed it. The leaders to whom Baruch had first spoken, Elnathan, Delaiah, Gemariah, urged the king to heed the words, but he refused. Years earlier, Josiah tore his clothes in sorrow and repentance (2 Kings 22.10-13), but this king refused to do so.

The leaders were proved right, in that the king sent his attendants to have Jeremiah and Baruch arrested. This time the Lord hid them, so they could continue their ministry.

v27-29: Jeremiah and Baruch were preserved, and they wrote out another scroll. A reminder that, whatever men may say, God’s word remains.

v30-31: The message for Jehoiakim, whose son was Jehoiachin, 22.30. Their family line would end. The line to Christ went through Zedekiah, brother of Jehoahaz.

v32: The new scroll included everything from the first scroll, and more besides. Here words were written for that generation, and to be kept as a testimony to Judah’s persistent unfaithfulness, and God’s promises.