Jeremiah 36 · Grade 4
A Scroll in the Fire
Read and Think
In the fourth year of Jehoiakim, God told Jeremiah to write all his words on a scroll. The purpose was mercy. It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I intend to do to them, that they may each return from his evil way. Since Jeremiah was barred from the temple, Baruch wrote as Jeremiah dictated and then read the scroll to the people on a fast day.
Micaiah son of Gemariah heard the reading and reported it to the princes. They asked Baruch to read it to them, and they turned in fear one toward another. They knew the king had to hear it, but they also told Baruch and Jeremiah to hide.
The king was sitting by a fire in his winter house. As each few columns were read, Jehoiakim cut them with a knife and threw them into the fire until the whole scroll was gone. The king and his servants were not afraid, and didn't tear their garments. But Yahweh hid them. God told Jeremiah to write the words again, and many similar words were added.
Show What You Know
What was the purpose of writing the scroll?
Why did Baruch read the scroll instead of Jeremiah?
How did the princes react?
How did the king and his servants respond?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- In the fourth year of Jehoiakim, God told Jeremiah to write all his words on a .
- Since Jeremiah was barred from the temple, wrote as Jeremiah dictated and then read the scroll to the people on a fast day.
- God told Jeremiah to write the again, and many similar words were added.
Think About It
Jehoiakim burned the scroll, but God's word was written again. What does that show about God's word?
The princes were afraid but the king was not. Why does it matter how we respond to God's word?
Memory Verse
“It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I intend to do to them, that they may each return from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.””
Jeremiah 36:3 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for Your words that last forever. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- What happened to God's words?
- Why does God's word last?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.