Jer 35:12-19 | KingComments | STEP | After this example of obedience of the Rechabites to the word of their forefather Jonadab comes the word of the LORD to Jeremiah ( ). We are now told why the foregoing took place. It is not to make Israel live the way the Rechabites do, but to impress upon unfaithful Israel the faithfulness of the Rechabites to the word of their forefather. For example, Israel must plant vineyards and may live in cities. With the words “go and say” the LORD instructs Jeremiah to go out of the chamber and go to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to ask them if they will not listen to the words of the LORD ( ). Here we see that the action in the temple has a symbolic meaning. The LORD draws a comparison between His words to the children of Israel and Jonadab’s words to his children ( ). Jonadab commanded his children not to drink wine and they listened to that and did not drink wine until this day. The LORD has called His people to obedience time and time again, but they have not listened to Him. The LORD has sent His servants, the prophets, again and again to His people with the call to repent ( ). He has also promised them that they will then remain in the land. But He has to conclude that they have not listened. Yes, the children of Jonadab, the man who does not belong to God’s people and neither do his descendants, have done what His people refuse to do ( ). The contrast is great. Jonadab is a man and his descendants listen to him. The LORD is the eternal God and His people do not listen to Him. The Rechabites are made an example of Judah and Jerusalem. Judah and Jerusalem, so privileged, will be punished because of their disobedience, their unwillingness to listen or even respond to God’s call ( ).

‏ Jeremiah 35:12-19

The Reproach to Judah

After this example of obedience of the Rechabites to the word of their forefather Jonadab comes the word of the LORD to Jeremiah (Jer 35:12). We are now told why the foregoing took place. It is not to make Israel live the way the Rechabites do, but to impress upon unfaithful Israel the faithfulness of the Rechabites to the word of their forefather. For example, Israel must plant vineyards and may live in cities.

With the words “go and say” the LORD instructs Jeremiah to go out of the chamber and go to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to ask them if they will not listen to the words of the LORD (Jer 35:13). Here we see that the action in the temple has a symbolic meaning. The LORD draws a comparison between His words to the children of Israel and Jonadab’s words to his children (Jer 35:14). Jonadab commanded his children not to drink wine and they listened to that and did not drink wine until this day. The LORD has called His people to obedience time and time again, but they have not listened to Him.

The LORD has sent His servants, the prophets, again and again to His people with the call to repent (Jer 35:15). He has also promised them that they will then remain in the land. But He has to conclude that they have not listened. Yes, the children of Jonadab, the man who does not belong to God’s people and neither do his descendants, have done what His people refuse to do (Jer 35:16).

The contrast is great. Jonadab is a man and his descendants listen to him. The LORD is the eternal God and His people do not listen to Him. The Rechabites are made an example of Judah and Jerusalem. Judah and Jerusalem, so privileged, will be punished because of their disobedience, their unwillingness to listen or even respond to God’s call (Jer 35:17).

Reward for the Rechabites

We now hear the LORD’s appreciation of obedience to the word of the parents (Jer 35:18). The Rechabites, says the LORD, have been obedient to Jonadab’s command in everything. Because of this complete faithfulness, He promises that Jonadab will always have a descendant, a man, to serve Him (Jer 35:19). Serving God is the true life. It recalls the call for children to obey their parents in everything (Col 3:20). The reward for them is long life in the land (Eph 6:1-3), which for us means enjoying the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places all the time we are on earth and the eternity that follows.

If we summarize the differences between the Rechabites and God’s people, we see that

1. the Rechabites obey a fallible leader, while the Leader of Judah is the eternal, infallible God (Jer 35:14);

2. the Rechabites receive a command from Jonadab only once, while the LORD has spoken to His people time and time again (Jer 35:15);

3. the Rechabites obeyed Jonadab’s commands for about 300 years, while God’s people continually disobeyed (Jer 35:16);

4. the faithfulness of the Rechabites will be rewarded, while the unfaithfulness of God’s people will be punished (Jer 35:17).