Jeremiah - Chapter 35

Jeremiah 35.1 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying, Jeremiah 35.2 Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink. Jeremiah 35.3 Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites; Jeremiah 35.4 And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door: Jeremiah 35.5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine. Jeremiah 35.6 But they said, We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever: Jeremiah 35.7 Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers. Jeremiah 35.8 Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters; Jeremiah 35.9 Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed: Jeremiah 35.10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us. Jeremiah 35.11 But it came to pass, when Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians: so we dwell at Jerusalem. Jeremiah 35.12 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, Jeremiah 35.13 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD. Jeremiah 35.14 The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me. Jeremiah 35.15 I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me. Jeremiah 35.16 Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me: Jeremiah 35.17 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. Jeremiah 35.18 And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Jeremiah 35.19 Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever.

Jeremiah : Chapter 35

The Lesson of the Rehabites in Jeremiah 35

Jeremiah chapter 35 presents us with a powerful example of faithfulness through the Rehabite family. Their obedience to ancient traditions highlights the disobedience of the people of Judah toward God. This chapter teaches us the value of loyalty and obedience, while promising the preservation of those who remain faithful. Let us reflect together on five biblical passages that illustrate the profound themes of this pivotal chapter.

Mark 7:9

"And he said to them, 'You always find a convenient way to reject God's commandments in order to obey your traditions!'" - In this verse, Jesus criticizes those who prioritize human traditions over divine commandments. This striking contrast highlights the exemplary obedience of the Rehabites in Jeremiah 35.

Proverbs 1:8-9

"Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and do not despise your mother's teaching. They shall be an ornament to your head and a crown to your neck." - This proverb emphasizes the importance of honoring parental teachings, reflecting the Rehabites' faithfulness to their ancestor's instructions in Jeremiah 35.

1 Peter 1:14

"As obedient children, do not let yourselves be not be shaped by the evil desires of the past, when you lived in ignorance." - The Apostle Peter exhorts obedience to God, echoing the positive example of the Rehabites in Jeremiah 35. Their faithfulness inspires us to turn away from our old ways.

Hebrews 13:7

"Remember your leaders, who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of your life and imitate your faith." - This verse encourages us to follow the example of faithful leaders, just as the Rehabites followed the example of Jonadab in Jeremiah 35, showing the importance of modeling ourselves on those who came before us.

Ephesians 6:1-3

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' is the first commandment with a promise..." - The apostle Paul here emphasizes the importance of honoring parents, a principle that the Rehabiters perfectly embodied by following their ancestors' instructions in Jeremiah 35.

As we meditate on these verses, we are called to live an authentic faith, to honor the traditions that bring us closer to God, and to remain faithful to His commandments, just as the Rehabiters did. May their example inspire us on our spiritual journey.