Spiritual Gems for the Week of September 21-27, 2026

Jer 36:30. How was the prophecy fulfilled that Jehoiakim would have no successor? (it “Jehoiakim” par. 9).

Jeremiah 36:30 — Therefore this is what Jehovah says against King Jehoiakim of Judah, ‘He will have no one to sit on the throne of David, and his dead body will be left exposed to the heat by day and the frost by night.

Answer 1: The prophecy indicated that Jehoiakim would have no one sitting on David’s throne. Although his son Jehoiachin succeeded him briefly, he did not continue ruling as king of Judah.

Jeremiah 37:1 — And King Zedekiah the son of Josiah began to reign in place of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon made him king in the land of Judah.

Answer 2: After Jehoiachin’s surrender, Nebuchadnezzar did not keep a son of Jehoiakim on the throne. He made Zedekiah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king, and thus the prophecy was fulfilled.

Answer 3: The expression did not mean that Jehoiakim would have no descendants. The point was that he would have no successor from his line who would continue sitting on David’s throne.

Answer 4: Jehoiachin was the son and successor of Jehoiakim, but his reign lasted only three months and ten days. After his surrender, Zedekiah was placed on the throne.

Answer 5: The events confirmed exactly Jehovah’s words against Jehoiakim. His son was not established on the throne, because Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah as king of Judah.

What spiritual gems have you found in this week’s Bible reading?

Spiritual Gems for JEREMIAH 36

Jeremiah 36:2 — “Take a scroll and write in it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel and Judah and all the nations, from the first day I spoke to you in the days of Josiah to this day.

Comment 1: Jehovah commanded that his messages against Israel, Judah, and the nations be preserved in writing. This highlights the value of having his Word in written form: We can return to it, examine it carefully, and base our decisions on its guidance.

Jeremiah 36:3 — Perhaps when those of the house of Judah hear of all the calamity that I intend to bring on them, they may turn back from their evil ways, so that I may forgive their error and their sin.”

Comment 2: Even when announcing calamity, Jehovah showed that he wanted to forgive. His warning gave the inhabitants of Judah the opportunity to abandon their bad course. His counsel is never cold; it reflects his desire to help people change.

Jeremiah 36:4 — Jeremiah then called Baruch the son of Neriah, and Jeremiah dictated all the words that Jehovah had spoken to him, and Baruch wrote them in the scroll.

Comment 3: Baruch faithfully worked along with Jeremiah and wrote down all the words that Jehovah had spoken. His example reminds us that support work is also very valuable. When we carry out our assignment well, we help Jehovah’s message reach others.

Jeremiah 36:6 — So you are the one who must go in and read aloud the words of Jehovah from the scroll that you wrote at my dictation. Read them in the hearing of the people at the house of Jehovah on the day of a fast; thus you will read them to all the people of Judah who come in from their cities.

Comment 4: Jeremiah could not enter the house of Jehovah, but he looked for a way to have the message read to the people. When circumstances limit what we can do, we can adapt and continue looking for opportunities to speak about the good news.

Jeremiah 36:7 — Perhaps their request for favor will reach Jehovah, and they will turn back, each one from his evil ways, for great is the anger and the wrath that Jehovah has declared against this people.”

Comment 5: The purpose of reading the message was for each person to abandon his bad course. When speaking with others, we aim to do more than convey information. We want to help them see that Jehovah is willing to hear their supplication and forgive them.

Jeremiah 36:8 — So Baruch the son of Neriah did all that Jeremiah the prophet had commanded him; he read aloud from the scroll the words of Jehovah at the house of Jehovah.

Comment 6: Baruch did everything that Jeremiah commanded him. That complete obedience made it possible for Jehovah’s words to be read publicly. His example encourages us to carry out theocratic instructions diligently, whether an assignment seems simple or difficult.

Jeremiah 36:16 — Now as soon as they heard all the words, they looked at one another in dread, and they said to Baruch: “We must certainly tell the king all these words.”

Comment 7: The princes were frightened when they heard the words of the scroll and recognized that they needed to inform the king. Listening to God’s Word should move us to act. If we realize that we need to make a change, we should not put it off.

Jeremiah 36:23 — After Jehudi had read three or four columns, the king would cut off that portion with the secretary’s knife and pitch it into the fire that was burning in the brazier, until the entire scroll ended up in the fire that was in the brazier.

Comment 8: Jehoiakim burned the scroll, but he could not eliminate Jehovah’s message or prevent its fulfillment. We can be sure that no opposition can permanently silence God’s word or thwart his purpose.

Jeremiah 36:25 — Although Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah pleaded with the king not to burn the scroll, he did not listen to them.

Comment 9: Some of the princes pleaded with the king not to burn the scroll. Although they were unable to stop him, they did not remain silent in the face of a disrespectful action. This teaches us to show respect for God’s Word and not approve attitudes that despise it.

Jeremiah 36:32 — Jeremiah then took another scroll and gave it to Baruch the son of Neriah, the secretary, and at Jeremiah’s dictation he wrote on it all the words of the scroll that King Jehoiakim of Judah had burned in the fire. And many more words like those were added.

Comment 10: Jehovah had another scroll written and many words added. Jehoiakim’s burning the first scroll changed nothing. This reaction by Jehovah strengthens our confidence that his declarations will always come true.

Spiritual Gems for JEREMIAH 37

Jeremiah 37:1 — And King Zedekiah the son of Josiah began to reign in place of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, for King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon made him king in the land of Judah.

Comment 1: Zedekiah became king because Nebuchadnezzar made him king in Judah. This change of government agreed with what Jehovah had announced against Jehoiakim. We see that Jehovah fulfills his words, even through events that humans do not control.

Jeremiah 37:2 — But he and his servants and the people of the land did not listen to the words of Jehovah spoken through Jeremiah the prophet.

Comment 2: Zedekiah, his servants, and the people did not listen to Jehovah’s words. It is not enough to know divine counsel or ask for help when problems arise. We must show that we take it seriously by obeying it from the heart.

Jeremiah 37:3 — And King Zedekiah sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to Jeremiah the prophet, saying: “Please pray in our behalf to Jehovah our God.”

Comment 3: Zedekiah asked Jeremiah to pray for them, although he was not obeying Jehovah’s message. It is good to ask for prayers when we face difficulties, but we must also be willing to accept and put into practice the guidance Jehovah gives us.

Jeremiah 37:7 — “This is what Jehovah the God of Israel says, ‘This is what you should say to the king of Judah, who sent you to me to inquire of me: “Look! The army of Pharaoh that is coming to assist you will have to go back to its land, Egypt.

Comment 4: The arrival of the Egyptian army may have seemed like a deliverance, but Jehovah explained that it would return to its land. Appearances can change quickly. Therefore, we do not base our security on human solutions, but on Jehovah’s reliable guidance.

Jeremiah 37:9 — This is what Jehovah says, “Do not deceive yourselves by saying, ‘The Chaldeans will surely go away from against us,’ because they will not go away.

Comment 5: Jehovah told them not to deceive themselves by thinking that the Chaldeans would leave permanently. It is easy to believe what reassures us, even when the facts indicate otherwise. Humility helps us accept Jehovah’s correction, even when it is not what we expected.

Jeremiah 37:10 — Even if you were to strike down the entire army of the Chaldeans who are fighting against you and only their wounded men were left, they would still rise up from their tents and burn this city with fire.”’”

Comment 6: Jehovah made clear that his decision would be fulfilled even if the Chaldeans appeared weakened. This teaches us that his purpose does not depend on the apparent strength of human instruments. His words are completely reliable.

Jeremiah 36:14 — Then all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah the son of Shelemiah the son of Cushi to Baruch, saying: “Come and bring with you the scroll from which you read in the hearing of the people.” Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand and went in to them.

Comment 7: Jeremiah clearly denied a false accusation, but Irijah did not listen to him. At times we may be unjustly misunderstood. Jeremiah’s example encourages us to respond sincerely and maintain good conduct without abandoning our faithfulness.

Jeremiah 36:17 — And they asked Baruch: “Tell us, please, how you wrote all these words. Was it at his dictation?”

Comment 8: Although he was imprisoned and met with the king in secret, Jeremiah delivered Jehovah’s message without changing it. His courage teaches us that faithfulness does not depend on favorable circumstances; we continue defending the truth with respect and firmness.

Jeremiah 36:19 — The princes said to Baruch: “Go and hide yourselves, you and Jeremiah, and do not let anyone know where you are.”

Comment 9: Jeremiah asked where the prophets were who had assured the king that the king of Babylon would not come. Their false words had been exposed. This reminds us of the importance of basing our confidence on Jehovah’s Word, not on messages that merely tell us what we want to hear.

Jeremiah 36:21 — So the king sent Jehudi out to get the scroll, and he brought it from the chamber of Elishama the secretary. Jehudi began to read it in the hearing of the king and of all the princes standing by the king.

Comment 10: Zedekiah ordered that Jeremiah receive a loaf of bread each day as long as there was bread in the city. Even in a distressing situation, Jehovah allowed his prophet to receive what he needed. This strengthens us: Jehovah can care for his servants in difficult circumstances.