Like Zedekiah (chap. 34), Jehoiakim scorns the law of God. Incidentally, chapter 36 provides a glimpse into how books of the Old Testament came to be. God commands Jeremiah to write on a scroll (36:1–7). His restriction (36:5) may have resulted from his controversial temple sermon (7:1–15) or his “lecture” to the elders (19:1–20:6). Jeremiah had censured Jehoiakim for his extravagance and extortion in building a palace (22:13–23). Since the scroll was read three times in one day it may not have been that extensive. The purpose o…