21 Then the king sent Jehudi to get the scroll, and he took it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary. And Jehudi read it to the king and all the officials who stood beside the king. 22 It was the ninth month, and the king was sitting in the winter house, and there was a fire burning in the fire pot before him. 23 As Jehudi read three or four columns, the king would cut them off with a knife and throw them into the fire in the fire pot, until the entire scroll was consumed in the fire that was in the fire pot. 24 Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments. 25 Even when Elnathan and Delaiah and Gemariah urged the king not to burn the scroll, he would not listen to them. – Jeremiah 36:21-25
Like father like son?
Not in this case. The reaction of King Jehoiakim to the reading of the inspired word of God stands in stark contrast to that of his father, King Josiah, as recorded in 2 Kings chapter 22. When the Book of the Law was found in the house of the Lord it was brought before King Josiah. Shaphan the secretary promptly read it to Josiah. Upon hearing the words of the Book of the Law, King Josiah tore his clothes in humility. The word of God convicted him. He commanded Hilkiah the priest who found the Book, Shaphan the secretary who read it to him, and other leaders to go and inquire of the Lord on his behalf. He was afraid of the wrath of God because of the disobedience of God’s children in regards to God’s word.
Josiah’s Humility
When God’s counsel was sought, Josiah was assured that the wrath of God would be meted out upon Jerusalem and it’s inhabitants because they forsook God and made offerings to idols, thus provoking God to anger. However, because Josiah’s heart was penitent, and he humbled himself before the Lord when he heard God’s word, Josiah would be “rewarded”. God assured him that he would go to his grave in peace, and his eyes would not see all the disaster that was coming as a result of the disobedience of the people. But Josiah wasn’t concerned only about himself, he was burdened for the people.
Josiah’s Consecration
Josiah assembled the people at the house of the Lord, and he personally read from the Book of the Covenant that had been lost there. In the presence of the people, he “made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes will all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book.” And the people joined him. After consecrating himself to the LORD, Josiah commanded the people to destroy their “instruments” of idolatry. Josiah not only removed a lot of items related to idol worship, he also restored the Passover. What did God think of Josiah’s reaction to His word?
God’s Assessment
25 Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him. – 2 Kings 23:25
Jehoiakim’s Arrogance
If only Jehoiakim could have been more like his father. Instead, his arrogance stands in stark contrast to Josiah’s humility. When his official (Jehudi) comes to him with the word of God, Jehoiakim is far from penitent. Instead of recognizes the authority of God’s word over his life, he acts like he is superior to the Word. It is he who stands in judgement. As the scroll is being read to him he is cutting it and burning it. This reaction is so appalling that verse 24 states, “Yet neither the king nor any of his servants who heard all these words was afraid, nor did they tear their garments.” Remember God’s intention stated in verse 3? “It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the disaster that I intend to do to them, so that every one may turn from his evil way, and that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Jehoiakim’s behavior is not only foolish, it is reckless.
Jehoiakim’s Denial
After Josiah humbled himself before the LORD and his people, he placed an order to “inquire of the LORD”. He wanted to hear more from God. After Jehoikim finished burning the scroll, he also placed an order. He wanted God’s messengers, Baruch and Jeremiah seized. Unlike his father, he did not want to hear more of God’s word. He didn’t want to hear it any more. He did not want to share the word of God with the people as his father did. Instead, he wanted to deprive them of it. The consequence? See how this compares with what is stated about Josiah above:
God’s Assessment
30 Therefore thus says the Lord concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: He shall have none to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body shall be cast out to the heat by day and the frost by night.
Not exactly going to your grave in peace! Amazing how different a father and a son can be. A good reminder on just how personal our faith is. There will be no coattail Christians in heaven. Our salvation is contingent upon what we do individually with the truth of the Gospel.
The reactions of Josiah and Jehoikim I believe, also give evidence of the uniqueness of the Word of God. What else can cause the brokenness we see in Josiah? What else can cause the animosity we see in Jehoikim? Both were convicted, yet they responded in different ways. History is full of people on each ends of this spectrum. Those that humble themselves before the Word want to share it just as Josiah did. Those that rebel as Jehoikim did, want to destroy it.
Why such strong reactions? The Word is alive!