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Plot
Presented as if set where originally produced. Of course, the play should be adapted to the presenters' locale.
Prologue: Chapel of Flags, where the Ft. Rucker PYOC Program Committee is
meeting to plan a spring program on the general theme of "The Bible as the
Word of God." The committee decides to dramatize chapter 36 of the book of
Jeremiah, which tells of how the writings of the prophet Jeremiah were burned
by the king and then re-written.
Scene 1: The prison in Jerusalem, where Jeremiah dictates the "word of the LORD"
to his secretary, Baruch.
Scene 2: "At the entry of the new gate of the LORD's house" (the temple in
Jerusalem) on a day of fasting. Here many people have gathered. Baruch reads
to them what Jeremiah has dictated to him. One of the king's princes overhears
the prophecy and rushes away to tell the other courtiers, because he realizes the
seriousness of the things Jeremiah has foretold and thinks the king should be
aware of it.
Scene 3: At the king's palace, in the office of the King's scribe, Elishama. The
noblemen there become alarmed when Mi-chai-ah tells them of Jeremiah's
prophecy and send the king's secretary, Jehudi, to get Baruch; and they have
Baruch read the prophecy to them. They advise Baruch and Jeremiah to hide
from the king! The courtiers decide to go tell King Jehoiakim, but they leave
the controversial scroll in the scribe's office.
Scene 4: The king's winter house, where King Jehoiakim is warming himself
before an open fire. The princes and courtiers report the reading of the word of
the LORD by Jeremiah's scribe to all the people. The king sends Jehudi to get
the roll and orders Jehudi to read it. As Jehudi reads, the king becomes furious
and cuts the scroll into strips and burns one piece after another-despite the pleas
of the princes. King Jehoiakim then orders the "taking" of both Jeremiah and
Baruch the scribe, "but the LORD hid them."
Scene 5: Same as scene 1, Jeremiah's prison cell. Jeremiah and Baruch are ready
to flee. They grab up paper and ink so that they can write again "all the words
of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire ... besides ...
many like words."
Epilogue: Same as prologue. The PYOC Program Committee decides that a skit
based on the story of Jeremiah and the burning of "the words of the LORD"
would indeed make a fine program. Such a presentation, they say, would show
the truth of the ancient words of Isaiah: "The grass withereth, the flower
fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand for ever."
Characters
The Program Committee: Louise, Amy, Bill (must have strong reading
voice)
Jeremiah, the prophet of God whose ministry spanned half a century, about 627
to 580BC (should be tall and thin, has few lines)
The Jailer (can also double as member of the crowd and as one of the king's strong-
arm men)
Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe and friend (must be able to read well)
A crowd of people at the Temple Gate (all ages, all sizes)
Mi-chai-ah, a prince, the son of Gem-a-ri-ah, a member of the king's court
Mi-chai-ah's Wife (can double as a servant of the king)
Je-hu-di, the king's secretary and attendant
E-li-sha-ma, the scribe in the king's court
Other princes and courtiers: Del-ai-ah, El-na-than, Gem-a-ri-ah, and Zed-e-ki'ah
King Jehoiakim
First, Second, and Third Servants
The King's strong-arm men: Je-rah' meel, Se-rai'-ah, and Shel-e-mi'-ah
Costuming and Scenery
Specific names and stage directions refer to the site of the original staging; this may be changed as may be appropriate for a new production.
Scenery and props:
No elaborate scenery is required.
To simulate the prison, place back bars (constructed of heavy cardboard, or light
wood) across the exit door on the left side of the chapel, as one faces the altar. Fix
this so that the cell door can be opened. For this scene there should be a small
table and stool, a rather large ink pot, numerous rolls of paper, and a pen bigger
than normal size so that the audience can see it.
For scene two, use the pulpit area of the chapel as the gate of the Jerusalem
temple. Simply have a crowd to ease in through the side doors, just before the end
of scene one. Some can sit on the steps.
For scenes three and four, use the corner of the chapel opposite of where the
prison scene has been set up. Place two folding screens between the area (left)
which is the office of the king's scribe and the "winter house," where the king lolls
in a big chair with a fire in front of him. For the fire, use electric burning logs.
Borrow a large oriental-type wicker chair for the king. Or, any high backed chair
covered over with bright tapestry will be all right. In the scribe's office, use only
a table and one or two chairs.
Costumes:
The king should be garbed in finery, but the other costumes can be simple.
Have Jeremiah wear the white, close fitting robe of a priest of that day. Let Baruch
wear a dark, long robe. The courtiers should have garments to indicate that they
are a bit more prosperous than the common people assembled at the Temple Gate.
All Biblical players should wear head coverings. The Committee should
be in modern street dress.