Recently, I have noticed people are discarding portions of Scripture telling us certain texts do not apply to us or that the text does not reveal the heart of God. It is a consequential choice to make. Discarding God’s word is nothing new. It has happened before in history bringing with it dire consequences. 

When Jeremiah was prophesying to the nation, his message was written on a scroll. It was read to some of the nation’s officials. When the officials heard the message, “They looked at each other in alarm” (Jeremiah 36: 16). Those reading the scroll were afraid of what they heard and told Jeremiah to hide. The officials took the scroll to the king to have it read before him and his officials.

As they read the words, “Each time Jehudi finished reading three or four columns, the king took a knife and cut off that section of the scroll. He then threw it into the fire, section by section, until the whole scroll was burned up. Neither the king nor his attendants showed any signs of fear or repentance at what they heard. Even when Elnathan, Delaiah, and Gemariah begged the king not to burn the scroll, he wouldn’t listen” (vs. 23-24).

When Jeremiah heard what the king had done, he rewrote the word and sent it back to the king. Adding to the word were the consequences of the king’s decision and for the nation who rejected God’s word all because “They would not listen to my warnings” (vs. 31).

Be careful what you choose to dismiss and discard from God’s word. What we remove from His word may be the very thing we need to save us when uncertain times come, and confusion abounds. 

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).