When William Tyndale published the first translation of the New Testament into the English language in 1528, the bishop of London wanted to buy as many copies as possible—not to distribute them to his congregation, but to have them burned. Though Tyndale knew of these evil intentions, he said he would happily sell the entire inventory. Why? Because he could use the money to pay off his debts, then use the surplus to produce an even better translation, which he knew would be eagerly purchased throughout England by people who were upset that the bishop had burned the first edition! Jeremiah 36 records a similar story. In 605 BC, when Jehoiakim ruled in Judah, God tells Jeremiah to write down all the prophecies he had received in his first twenty years of ministry. God had a gracious reason for wanting His words to be written down. All the warnings of judgment found in Scripture have been preserved so that sinners might turn from their sins and be saved (v 1-3). So Jeremiah dictates all the words to Baruch, his executive secretary. Since the prophet himself was banned from going to the temple, Baruch also takes care of the publicity, reading aloud this new book in the LORD’s house (v 4-10). Jeremiah’s publication receives mixed reviews. Micaiah was the grandson of Shaphan, the great Secretary of State who read the Book of the Law for the godly King Josiah when it was rediscovered at the temple (2 Kings 22). So when Micaiah hears God’s Word, he listens attentively to all of it, then shares it with the royal cabinet. Once the cabinet confirms the scroll’s source, they tremble in fear, cautiously making plans to inform the ungodly king (v 11-19). For his part, King Jehoiakim would not hear God’s Word and he did not fear it. In fact, he tries to make sure it will never be shared again. In one of the Bible’s most memorable scenes, the king methodically cuts holy Scripture into pieces as it is read for him, tossing each fragment into his burning fireplace. Perhaps he did not believe the prophecies, or maybe he thought that burning God’s Word would prevent it from coming to pass. With nonchalant arrogance, he disregards every warning, then calls for the arrest of God’s prophet (v 20-26). But as soon as the first edition of Jeremiah is reduced to ashes, the second goes into production. Ironically, Jehoiakim himself makes it into the expanded edition that we are now reading! God always has the final say. His Word is indestructible, surviving every attack and outlasting every enemy. Among the many reasons to trust the Bible is its staying power (v 27-32). For further meditation: