The prophet Jeremiah, in obedience to the commands of God, dictated the words that the Lord gave him to Baruch, his scribe, who wrote them upon a roll. See Jeremiah 36:4. This message was a reproof of the many sins of Israel and a warning of the consequences that would follow a continuance of their evil course. It was an earnest appeal for them to renounce their sins. After it was written, Jeremiah, who was a prisoner, sent his scribe to read the roll to all the people who had assembled “in the Lord’s house upon the fasting day.” Said the prophet: “It may be they will present their supplication before the Lord, and will return everyone from his evil way; for great is the anger and the fury that the Lord hath pronounced against this people.” {4T 177.1}

I lydighed til Guds påbud befalede profeten Jeremias de ord som Herren gav ham til Baruk, hans skriver, som skrev dem ned i en rulle. Se Jer. 36,4. Dette budskab var en irettesættelse af mange Israels synder og en advarsel om konsekvenserne der ville følge, ved fortsættelse af deres onde opførsel. Det var en alvorlig appel om at de måtte give afkald på deres synder. Efter det var blevet skrevet, satte Jeremias, som var fange, sin skribent til at læse rullen op for folket, der var samlet »i Herrens hus på en fastedag.« profeten sagde: »Måske når deres klage Herrens åsyn, måske omvender de sig hver fra sin onde vej; thi stor er vreden og harmen, som Herren har udtalt mod dette folk."