Jeremiah 36:11

Jeremiah 36:11 says, When Michaiah the son of Gemariah, the son of Shaphan, had heard out of the book all the words of the LORD,  Michaiah heard the word of the LORD that Baruch had read.  Verse twelve adds, Then he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, even Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.  Michaiah then went to the king's house to the scribe's chamber.  Matthew Henry points out that even though a fast had been declared, that the princes and scribes, or at least some of them, did not participate in it, which would indicate that it was more for show than from real conviction.  Religious ceremonies that are just for show have very little significance, and if we are at a worship service just for show, then it is of little spiritual significance.  Verse thirteen states, Then Michaiah declared unto them all the words that he had heard, when Baruch read the book in the ears of the people.  Michaiah must have at least been listening to Baruch, because we are told that he declared all the words that Baruch had spoken to these princes and scribes.  In order to share God's word. we must first receive His word, and the Bible is the best source.  We may share what a preacher says, but we must make sure that it is consistent with the Bible. Verse fourteen declares, Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, saying, Take in thine hand the roll wherein thou hast read in the ears of the people, and come. So Baruch the son of Neriah took the roll in his hand, and came unto them.  The princes and scribes gathered there sent for Baruch and told him to bring the scroll with him.  Michaiah may have told them what Baruch had read, but they were going to the source.  We today must go to the source, God's written word, if we want to be certain about what God has to say.  These princes and scribes could have already heard what God had to say through what Jeremiah had written and Baruch had read, but they did not go to hear it, but had Baruch brought to them instead.  Some people will always feel that it is beneath them to go to where God's word is being proclaimed.  Verse fifteen adds, And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read it in their ears.  After Baruch got there, they told him to read the scroll to them so that they might hear it with their own ears.  Baruch did not argue or say that he had already read it if they had only shown up to hear, but he read it again.  No matter how many times we share the gospel, we must always be ready to share it again, without any complaint.  Verse sixteen states, Now it came to pass, when they had heard all the words, they were afraid both one and other, and said unto Baruch, We will surely tell the king of all these words.  When the princes and scribes heard what God had to say, they were afraid, but they said that they would surely share it all with the king.  I believe they were more afraid of what the king's reaction would be than they were of what God had to say,  We cannot let fear of what the people in power may say prevent us from proclaiming the truth of God.  Verse seventeen asks, And they asked Baruch, saying, Tell us now, How didst thou write all these words at his mouth?  They then asked Baruch how he had come to know these words to write.  People will always question the source of the scripture, especially if it does not agree with what they want to believe or even if it may go against what those in power would claim to be the truth.  Verse eighteen states, Then Baruch answered them, He pronounced all these words unto me with his mouth, and I wrote them with ink in the book.  Baruch said that Jeremiah pronounced all the words with his mouth, and that Baruch simply wrote them down.  Still, God was the source of these words, just as He is the source of the Bible.  Verse nineteen declares, Then said the princes unto Baruch, Go, hide thee, thou and Jeremiah; and let no man know where ye be.  They told Baruch that Jeremiah and he should go and hide.  This was not a message that the king would want to hear.  They at least did not keep Baruch there for the king, but told him to go to Jeremiah and then go hide.  Verse twenty states, And they went in to the king into the court, but they laid up the roll in the chamber of Elishama the scribe, and told all the words in the ears of the king.  They went to the king and told him what the scroll had to say.  They did not take Baruch to read it, though he or even Jeremiah himself would have been the best one to do so.