FRAMEWORKS:
Jeremiah 35: The
Example of the Rekabites' Obedience
[Preliminary
Comment: Thus somewhat short and succinct chapter uses
as an example of obedience a group of people descended from a
man named Rekab who, in an endeavour to establish them more before
God had instructed them never to drink or settle down. This they
had obeyed. The Lord uses this example to contrast the people's
ongoing disobedience which He is now going to punish. Yet another
example of God giving reasons for the coming destruction.]
v.1-5
Jeremiah instructed to invite the Rekabites to the temple to drink
v.1
This
is the word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord during
the reign of Jehoiakim [i.e.
sometime between 609
and 598] son
of Josiah king of Judah:
v.2
‘Go
to the Rekabite family and invite them to come to one of the side
rooms of the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink.'
v.3
So
I went to get Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah,
and his brothers and all his sons – the whole family of the
Rekabites.
v.4
I
brought them into the house of the Lord, into the room of the
sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah the man of God. It was next to the
room of the officials, which was over that of Maaseiah son of
Shallum the doorkeeper.
v.5
Then
I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and
said to them, ‘Drink some wine.'
v.6-11
They refuse to drink and explain their history
v.6
But
they replied, ‘We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab
son of Rekab gave us this command: “Neither you nor your descendants
must ever drink wine.
v.7
Also
you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you
must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents.
Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads.”
v.8
We
have obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab commanded
us. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever
drunk wine
v.9
or
built houses to live in or had vineyards, fields or crops.
v.10
We
have lived in tents and have fully obeyed everything our forefather
Jehonadab commanded us.
v.11
But
when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded this land, we said,
“Come, we must go to Jerusalem to escape the Babylonian and Aramean
armies.” So we have remained in Jerusalem.'
v.12-14
These people are a wonderful example of obedience
v.12
Then
the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying:
v.13
‘This
is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: go and tell
the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, “Will you not
learn a lesson and obey my words?” declares the Lord.
v.14
“Jehonadab
son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this
command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because
they obey their forefather's command.
v.14b-15
You by contrast are classic examples of disobedience
But
I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed
me.
v.15
Again
and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said,
‘Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions;
do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you shall live in
the land I have given to you and your ancestors.' But you have
not paid attention or listened to me.
v.16,17
because your failure is here so obvious, God's judgment is coming
v.16
The
descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command
their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.”
v.17
‘Therefore
this is what the Lord God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Listen!
I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem
every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but
they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.”'
v.18,19
God promises the Rekabites safety for future generations
v.18
Then
Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, ‘This is what the
Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “You have obeyed the command
of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions
and have done everything he ordered.”
v.19
Therefore
this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Jehonadab
son of Rekab shall never fail to have a descendant to serve me.”'
Continue
to Chapter 36