Definition: Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 36:2. It's a really powerful and complex passage, so we'll go through it step-by-step. Here's what it means in simple terms: “Jeremiah 36:2 says that God is giving him a list of all the things he’s told Israel and Judah not to do – and even things that happened long before Josiah, back in the days of old.” Let’s unpack that further: "Take a roll of a book..." : This is metaphorical. It's like God is giving him a record or a document. "...and write therein all the words..." : He’s recording everything he has said to him – his judgments, warnings, and instructions. "...that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah..." This is the core of it: He's detailing a long history of God’s disapproval and warnings specifically to Israel and Judah. "Josiah..." : This refers to King Josiah, who ruled during a very difficult time in ancient Israel. "...from the day I spake unto thee..." : This means he started telling these warnings before Josiah became king. "...and this day of old..." : He's talking about a long history – possibly even before the beginning of recorded history. So, essentially, Jeremiah is saying: God has been warning and condemning Israel and Judah for centuries. He’s documenting every single thing he’s said to them, past and present, with a very serious and focused message. He's essentially laying out a historical record of his displeasure and the consequences that will follow if they don’t listen to him. Important Context: This verse is incredibly significant because it’s part of a larger narrative about God’s judgment on Israel and Judah, which ultimately leads to their downfall. It sets up the entire book of Jeremiah – a series of warnings and pronouncements designed to lead the people back to God. --- Do you want me to: Explain any specific part in more detail? Discuss the context of the verse within the larger story of Jeremiah? Talk about the potential meaning or interpretation of this passage?