Today’s Bible Reading: 2 Kings 24:1-4; 2 Chronicles 36:3-7; Jeremiah 36; Jeremiah 25; Jeremiah 45:1-5

Today's reading prompts some self evaluation...

“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…” Jeremiah 36:23 NIV

In today’s reading we see King Jehoiakim ridiculously rebellious in response to the Word of the Lord. God had told Jeremiah to write a message on a scroll specifically for the king. As that message was read by one of the king’s men name Jehudi, King Jehoiakim cut it up and tossed it piece by piece into the fire. More astonishing is that none of the king’s officials showed any reverence or fear at the fact that God’s Words were being cut up and burned up.

“The king and all his attendants who heard all these words showed no fear, nor did they tear their clothes.” Jeremiah 36:24 NIV

To us today this probably sounds brazen because “we would never”! And yet, we live in a day and age where culture is consistently compelling the Church to “cut out” portions of Scripture that are “uncomfortable”. Piece by piece the full counsel of God’s Word is being “cut out” as it’s being neglected. May we NOT be those people! Rather, may we be people who listen to the whole Bible, take in the full counsel of God, and hear all of His Words…even the “difficult” parts.

King Jehoiakim may have used a scribe’s knife to cut up God’s Word but he didn’t get the last word because you see, God’s Word is sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12).

Thank you for being those who are willing to take in the full counsel of the Lord cover to cover. Keep refusing to cut out portions, regardless of what “King Culture” might be compelling.