The Bible Recap – Day 229 (Jeremiah 35–37) – Year 7

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: August 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tara-Leigh Cobble explores Jeremiah chapters 35 through 37, highlighting the jumbled chronology, the steadfast obedience of the Rechabites as a contrast to Israel’s rebellion, the dramatic destruction and rewriting of Jeremiah’s scroll, and the ongoing conflict between Jeremiah, the kings of Judah, and foreign powers. Tara-Leigh emphasizes God's relentless commitment to making His word known and preserving it, even in the face of opposition, misunderstanding, and destruction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Flashbacks and Timeline Shifts in Jeremiah

• [00:02] Tara-Leigh sets listener expectations: Jeremiah often jumps back and forth in time. This can be confusing, but she assures listeners it’s intentionally arranged.
• The opening story—contrasting Judah’s unfaithfulness (previous reading) with the Rechabites’ obedience—is meant to highlight two opposing attitudes.

The Example of the Rechabites

• [01:05] “If you don’t recognize the name Rechabites, don’t worry. We haven’t met them before. Technically, we’ve met their ancestors… They’re descendants of the Kenites. They’re all nomads.”
• The Rechabites, though not Israelites, have lived among God’s people and demonstrated a unique heritage of obedience.
• God has Jeremiah invite them to the temple and offer them wine; they refuse, as their ancestor commanded them to abstain over 200 years prior.
• Contrast Highlighted: The Rechabites’ sustained obedience shames Israel for their own disobedience.
• God promises to preserve a remnant of Rechabites because of their faithfulness.

Notable Illustration:

• [02:58] “This is kind of like if there’s a football team that’s going to the playoffs and the coach suspends the quarterback and replaces him with the head of the chess club... Some… insiders are being cut off, and some of the outsiders are being welcomed in. This is a theme in the Kingdom of God.”

Jeremiah Dictates 22 Years of Prophecy

• [03:33] God commands Jeremiah to write down all his words from the last 22 years. Jeremiah employs Baruch, his scribe, since he had been banned from the temple (probably for his sermon in Jeremiah 7).
• Baruch spends around a year writing the scroll, then reads it at the temple.
• The officials are shocked by the prophecies and want to inform the king, but also warn Jeremiah and Baruch to hide, anticipating danger.

King Jehoiakim’s Dramatic Response

• [06:07] King Jehoiakim hears a summary from his servants but insists on hearing the original words. As the scroll is read aloud, he cuts it up section by section, burning it in the fire.

  • “The king isn’t just showing a complete lack of repentance. He’s also trying to play God by destroying the words in hopes that it will prevent the disaster from taking place." [07:14]

• Several officials protest the king’s actions, but he ignores them and orders that Jeremiah and Baruch be found. God hides them.

• God instructs Jeremiah to rewrite everything—and this time, Jeremiah expands the scroll, including the story of the scroll’s destruction.

  • “After the king destroyed a year’s worth of work, God tells Jeremiah to go back to his typewriter and start all over again. And this time, Jeremiah expands the scroll by adding a few new things, which would obviously include the story we just read.” [08:02]

God’s Judgment and Transfer of Power

• [08:33] God pronounces judgment on Jehoiakim, declaring he will have no son to succeed him.
• In chapter 37, this is fulfilled as Babylon installs Zedekiah as king. Zedekiah fares no better, and the city endures siege and conflict.

Political Turmoil and Jeremiah’s Persecution

• [09:00] Jerusalem’s brief reprieve from Babylon occurs when Egypt intervenes, but Jeremiah warns this is only temporary.
• Jeremiah is falsely accused of defecting to Babylon, beaten, and imprisoned.
• Despite the hardships, he remains steadfast in his obedience and honesty, even providing advice to Zedekiah when secretly summoned.
  • “True to form, Jeremiah persists in following and submitting to God. Nonetheless, from time to time, the king secretly sends for Jeremiah and asks him for wisdom and insight. And Jeremiah always delivers the truth humbly.” [10:21]
• This respectful posture earns him favor with the king, who improves his conditions even amid famine.

Memorable Quotes and Reflections

• God Preserves His Word:
  • [11:10] “My God shot today was seeing how vigilantly God preserves His word. God wants people to hear what he has to say. He wants to be known. And nothing can thwart his efforts to communicate with mankind.”
  • “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. The building you’re in right now will someday be rubble. The car you drive will eventually stop running… But these words you spent time reading today, this God you’re invested in, knowing—He and His Word are forever. You’re investing in something eternal. You’re building into something that will last.”

Timeline of Important Segments

| Time | Segment | |----------|----------------------------------------------| | 00:02 | Introduction; Jeremiah’s shifting timeline | | 01:05 | The Rechabites: history and obedience | | 02:58 | Insiders out, outsiders in: kingdom dynamic | | 03:33 | Jeremiah’s scroll: writing and reading | | 06:07 | Jehoiakim burns the scroll | | 07:14 | Jehoiakim’s motives & magical thinking | | 08:02 | Scroll is rewritten and expanded | | 08:33 | God’s judgment on Jehoiakim | | 09:00 | Babylon, Egypt, Zedekiah, and Jeremiah's trial | | 10:21 | Jeremiah’s faithfulness in adversity | | 11:10 | God’s Word endures: host’s key reflection |

Tone and Delivery

Tara-Leigh’s style is straightforward, approachable, and encouraging. She uses contemporary analogies (“football team and chess club”) and conversational language to make complex prophetic events relatable, while consistently drawing out God’s character and faithfulness.

Final Thoughts

The episode emphasizes that:

• True obedience can come from unexpected people (the Rechabites).
• God’s word and plans cannot be thwarted by human resistance or destruction.
• Investing time in God and His word is investing in what is eternal.

Tara-Leigh concludes with a reminder:

“He’s not just eternal, He’s where the joy is.” [11:52]

For further study: Tara-Leigh announces a new Bible Recap Bible edition, giving listeners options to continue growing in daily Bible reading and recaps—further enhancing the podcast’s goal of making Scripture accessible and engaging.