Jeremiah35
New Living Translation
1This is the message the Lord gave Jeremiah when Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah:
2“Go to the settlement where the families of the Recabites live, and invite them to the Lord’s Temple. Take them into one of the inner rooms, and offer them some wine.”
3So I went to see Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah and grandson of Habazziniah and all his brothers and sons—representing all the Recabite families.
4I took them to the Temple, and we went into the room assigned to the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God. This room was located next to the one used by the Temple officials, directly above the room of Maaseiah son of Shallum, the Temple gatekeeper.
5I set cups and jugs of wine before them and invited them to have a drink,
6but they refused. “No,” they said, “we don’t drink wine, because our ancestor Jehonadab son of Recab gave us this command: ‘You and your descendants must never drink wine.
7And do not build houses or plant crops or vineyards, but always live in tents. If you follow these commands, you will live long, good lives in the land.’
8So we have obeyed him in all these things. We have never had a drink of wine to this day, nor have our wives, our sons, or our daughters.
9We haven’t built houses or owned vineyards or farms or planted crops.
10We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed all the commands of Jehonadab, our ancestor.
11But when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked this country, we were afraid of the Babylonian and Syrian armies. So we decided to move to Jerusalem. That is why we are here.”
12Then the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah:
13“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: Go and say to the people in Judah and Jerusalem, ‘Come and learn a lesson about how to obey me.
14The Recabites do not drink wine to this day because their ancestor Jehonadab told them not to. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you refuse to obey me.
15Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you, “Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you would not listen to me or obey me.
16The descendants of Jehonadab son of Recab have obeyed their ancestor completely, but you have refused to listen to me.’
17“Therefore, this is what the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you refuse to listen or answer when I call, I will send upon Judah and Jerusalem all the disasters I have threatened.’”
18Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed your ancestor Jehonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.’
19Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.’”
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Jeremiah 35.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The obedience of the Rechabites. (1-11). The Jews' disobedience to the Lord. (12-19).
vv1-11
Jonadab was famous for wisdom and piety. He lived nearly 300 years before, II Kin. 10:15. Jonadab charged his posterity not to drink wine. He also appointed them to dwell in tents, or movable dwelling: this would teach them not to think of settling any where in this world. To keep low, would be the way to continue long in the land where they were strangers. Humility and contentment are always the best policy, and men's surest protection. Also, that they might not run into unlawful pleasures, they were to deny themselves even lawful delights. The consideration that we are strangers and pilgrims should oblige us to abstain from all fleshly lusts. Let them have little to lose, and then losing times would be the less dreadful: let them sit loose to what they had, and then they might with less pain be stript of it. Those are in the best frame to meet sufferings who live a life of self-denial, and who despise the vanities of the world. Jonadab's posterity observed these rules strictly, only using proper means for their safety in a time of general suffering.
vv12-19
The trial of the Rechabites' constancy was for a sign; it made the disobedience of the Jews to God the more marked. The Rechabites were obedient to one who was but a man like themselves, and Jonadab never did for his seed what God has done for his people. Mercy is promised to the Rechabites. We are not told respecting the performance of this promise; but doubtless it was performed, and travellers say the Rechabites may be found a separate people to this day. Let us follow the counsels of our pious forefathers, and we shall find good in so doing.
Key Words
דָּבָר: a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.
אָמַר: to say (used with great latitude)
יִרְמְיָה: Jirmejah, the name of eight or nine Israelites
מִן: properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
יְהוֹיָקִים: Jehojakim, a Jewish king
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
יֹאשִׁיָּה: Joshijah, the name of two Israelites
מֶלֶךְ: a king
Cross References
Jeremiah 35Identifies Jonadab, son of Rechab, who commanded these lifestyle restrictions 300 years prior.
Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
Traces the genealogical origins of the Rechabites to the Kenites of Hemath.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Shows the Kenite origin of the Rechabites and their early history of dwelling in tents.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Records the historical invasion of Chaldean and Syrian bands that forced them into Jerusalem.
Supported by JFB
Describes the chambers built against the walls of the temple, where Jeremiah met them.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels the tent-dwelling lifestyle of the patriarchs as strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Illustrates God's persistent efforts in sending prophets early and often, which Israel rejected.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts the Rechabites honoring their earthly father with Israel's failure to honor God.
Supported by JFB
Mentions the office of the 'keeper of the door' in the temple hierarchy.
Supported by JFB
Echoes the prophetic call to return from evil ways and amend doings.
Supported by JFB
Provides the biblical law of the Nazirite vow, which also prohibited drinking wine.
Connects Jonadab's promise of long life in the land to the Fifth Commandment.
Supported by JFB
The basic wisdom command to hear the instruction of a father.
Parallels the promise of a perpetual line to 'stand before' the Lord.