Jeremiah 35:14

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The words {H1697} of Jonadab {H3082} the son {H1121} of Rechab {H7394}, that he commanded {H6680} his sons {H1121} not to drink {H8354} wine {H3196}, are performed {H6965}; for unto this day {H3117} they drink {H8354} none, but obey {H8085} their father's {H1} commandment {H4687}: notwithstanding I have spoken {H1696} unto you, rising early {H7925} and speaking {H1696}; but ye hearkened {H8085} not unto me.

Complete Jewish Bible

'The words of Yonadav the son of Rekhav which he ordered his offspring, not to drink wine, are obeyed; so to this day they don't drink any; because they heed their ancestor's order. But I have spoken to you, spoken frequently, and you have not listened to me.

Berean Standard Bible

The words of Jonadab son of Rechab have been carried out. He commanded his sons not to drink wine, and they have not drunk it to this very day because they have obeyed the command of their forefather. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you have not obeyed Me!

American Standard Version

The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; and unto this day they drink none, for they obey their father’s commandment. But I have spoken unto you, rising up early and speaking; and ye have not hearkened unto me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 35:14 delivers a profound divine indictment against the people of Judah, starkly contrasting their persistent disobedience with the unwavering, generational faithfulness of the Rechabites. God highlights how the Rechabites have meticulously upheld a human command from their ancestor Jonadab to abstain from wine, demonstrating steadfast loyalty. In severe contrast, Judah has consistently ignored and rebelled against the divine commands of the Almighty, despite His diligent, repeated, and earnest appeals conveyed through His prophets. This verse serves as a powerful and poignant illustration of Judah's spiritual rebellion and the profound gravity of neglecting God's revealed will.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 35 is a strategically placed object lesson within the broader prophetic book, designed to powerfully underscore Judah's profound spiritual failure. Preceding chapters detail Judah's rampant idolatry, their egregious breaking of the covenant, and the impending Babylonian judgment that looms. In this pivotal chapter, God specifically instructs Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites into the temple area, offer them wine, and meticulously observe their response. Their steadfast refusal, rooted in a centuries-old ancestral command, creates a vivid and damning contrast with Judah's consistent defiance of God's direct commands. This particular verse, [Jeremiah 35:14](/jeremiah/35-14 "Jeremiah 35:14 - The Rechabites' Obedience vs. Judah's Disobedience"), serves as God's direct commentary on the observed behavior, explicitly drawing the comparison and delivering a scathing rebuke. It immediately precedes God's pronouncement of blessing upon the Rechabites for their exemplary obedience and the declaration of severe judgment upon Judah for their rebellion, culminating in the declaration of impending disaster upon Jerusalem and the men of Judah in [Jeremiah 35:17](/jeremiah/35-17 "Jeremiah 35:17 - God's Judgment on Judah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Rechabites were a distinct, nomadic clan, tracing their lineage back to Jonadab (also known as Jehonadab), who lived during the time of King Jehu in the 9th century BC, centuries before Jeremiah's ministry. Jonadab, a zealous supporter of Yahweh, had commanded his descendants to live a simple, nomadic life, which included abstaining from wine, refraining from building houses, sowing seed, or planting vineyards, and instead dwelling in tents ([2 Kings 10:15-23](/2_kings/10-15-23 "2 Kings 10:15-23 - Jonadab's Zeal for Yahweh and the Rechabites")). This unique lifestyle was likely intended to preserve their distinct identity, shield them from the corrupting influences of settled Canaanite culture, and maintain a purity of worship aligned with their understanding of God's covenant with Israel. By Jeremiah's time (late 7th to early 6th century BC), they had remarkably maintained this ancestral vow for over 250 years, demonstrating an unparalleled generational fidelity. In stark contrast, the people of Judah had repeatedly abandoned their sacred covenant with Yahweh, embracing idolatry, perpetrating social injustice, and relying on precarious foreign alliances, despite numerous and urgent warnings from prophets like Jeremiah. Their disobedience was not merely an occasional lapse but a systemic rejection of God's authority and a profound betrayal of their identity as His chosen people.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several central themes woven throughout Jeremiah's prophecy. First, the theme of **Obedience vs. Disobedience** is paramount, with the Rechabites serving as a living parable of unwavering fidelity to a human command, starkly highlighting Judah's profound and persistent rebellion against divine commands. Second, it emphasizes **God's Persistent Grace and Warning**, conveyed through the poignant idiom "rising early and speaking," which signifies God's tireless, earnest, and repeated efforts to call His people to repentance before judgment falls ([Jeremiah 7:13](/jeremiah/7-13 "Jeremiah 7:13 - God's Persistent Call to Repentance") and [Jeremiah 25:3](/jeremiah/25-3 "Jeremiah 25:3 - Jeremiah's Prophetic Ministry")). Third, the verse touches upon the critical theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, contrasting the Rechabites' steadfast adherence to an ancestral vow with Judah's egregious breaking of their sacred covenant with Yahweh. Finally, it implicitly introduces the theme of **Divine Justice**, as the Rechabites' faithfulness will be rewarded, while Judah's persistent disobedience will inevitably lead to severe judgment, a recurring and central motif throughout the entire book of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/1 "The Book of Jeremiah").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** (H1697) This term, derived from a root meaning "to arrange" or "to speak," signifies not merely spoken utterances but also matters, affairs, or things. Here, it refers to the specific, actionable commands given by Jonadab. The fact that these "words" were "performed" highlights their authoritative nature and the profound weight given to them by the Rechabites, contrasting sharply with Judah's casual disregard for God's "words."
* **performed (Hebrew, _qûwm'_):** (H6965) This primitive root means "to rise," but in a causative or intensive sense, it conveys "to establish," "to confirm," or "to carry out." When applied to commands, it means they are "upheld," "fulfilled," or "executed." The Rechabites' commands were not merely remembered but actively and consistently "performed" across generations, demonstrating a deep, enduring commitment to their ancestral law.
* **hearkened (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** (H8085) This crucial verb means "to hear intelligently," often implying not just the perception of sound but also deep attention, understanding, and, most importantly, obedience. The contrast is stark: the Rechabites "obey" (a form of _shâmaʻ_) their father's commandment, while Judah "hearkened not" to God. This signifies a deliberate and culpable refusal to listen, comprehend, and submit to God's voice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed;"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the central point of comparison. It precisely identifies the specific command given by Jonadab to his descendants—a strict abstinence from wine—and directly states that this command has been faithfully "performed" or carried out. This sets the stage for the remarkable and enduring generational obedience of the Rechabites.
* **"for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment:"**: This part elaborates on the extraordinary extent and remarkable duration of the Rechabites' obedience. The phrase "unto this day" powerfully emphasizes their sustained, unbroken fidelity over centuries, making their commitment all the more striking and exemplary. They not only remember the command but actively live by it, demonstrating a profound and consistent respect for their ancestor's "commandment" (Hebrew, _mitsvâh_, a term frequently used for divine law, lending weight to the human command).
* **"notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking;"**: Here, the divine speaker, Yahweh Himself, directly introduces Himself and the contrasting, lamentable reality of Judah. "Notwithstanding" (or "yet") powerfully highlights the sharp divergence in behavior. God asserts that He, too, has "spoken" to Judah, and the poignant phrase "rising early and speaking" vividly conveys His diligent, persistent, and earnest efforts to communicate His will to His people through His prophets. This idiom underscores His immense patience, tireless pursuit, and profound desire for their repentance.
* **"but ye hearkened not unto me."**: This final, damning clause delivers the divine verdict and the core of Judah's sin. In direct and devastating contrast to the Rechabites' unwavering obedience, Judah has utterly failed to "hearken" (to listen with understanding and to obey) God's words. This is not merely a failure to act, but a fundamental, willful refusal to receive, internalize, and submit to the divine voice, despite God's tireless and loving efforts.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 35:14 is rich in literary devices that powerfully amplify its message and heighten its impact. The most prominent is **Contrast**, where the unwavering, generational obedience of the Rechabites to a human command is meticulously set in stark opposition to the persistent, rebellious disobedience of Judah to the divine commands of Yahweh. This contrast is designed to shame Judah and highlight the profound gravity of their spiritual negligence and covenant infidelity. **Irony** is also powerfully at play: a nomadic, non-Israelite clan (the Rechabites, though associated with Israel, maintained distinct customs) demonstrates greater fidelity to their ancestral law than God's chosen people, Israel, do to their sacred divine covenant. The phrase "rising early and speaking" is a potent **Idiom**, frequently employed in prophetic literature to vividly depict God's tireless, earnest, and proactive efforts to communicate with His people, emphasizing His immense patience and profound desire for their repentance. Furthermore, the verse employs **Repetition** of the concept of "obeying" or "hearkening" (using forms of _shâmaʻ_) to underscore the central theme of submission to authority, whether human or divine, and to highlight Judah's catastrophic failure in this regard.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 35:14 profoundly illustrates the theological principle of obedience as the absolute cornerstone of a covenant relationship with God. The Rechabites' unwavering fidelity to a human command, maintained for centuries, serves as a powerful and undeniable indictment of Judah's consistent and willful disobedience to the living God. This highlights that God's expectations for His people are not arbitrary or burdensome, but are deeply rooted in His holy character and their solemn covenant obligations. The verse also powerfully underscores God's immense patience and persistent pursuit of His people, even in their rebellion, through the diligent and tireless ministry of His prophets. Ultimately, it reveals that the issue is not God's lack of communication or His unwillingness to guide, but rather humanity's hardened hearts and their stubborn unwillingness to "hearken" to His voice, leading inevitably to just judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 11:26-28](/deuteronomy/11-26-28 "Deuteronomy 11:26-28 - Blessings and Curses")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Hebrews 3:7-13](/hebrews/3-7-13 "Hebrews 3:7-13 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts Today")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 35:14 stands as a timeless and piercing challenge, urging every believer to deeply examine the depth and consistency of their own obedience to God. The Rechabites, by their unwavering commitment to an ancestral vow, expose the often-superficial and conditional nature of our own spiritual commitments. If a human command, passed down through generations, could elicit such profound and generational faithfulness, how much more should the divine commands of the omnipotent Creator of the universe inspire our unreserved devotion and absolute submission? This verse calls us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to God's Word and into active, consistent, and sacrificial obedience, even when it means going against prevailing cultural norms, personal preferences, or deeply ingrained habits. It serves as a sobering reminder that while God's patience is profound and His grace abounds, His call to obedience is serious, persistent, and ultimately non-negotiable. We are invited to reflect deeply on whether we are truly listening to His voice, or if, like Judah, we are selectively hearing, rationalizing, or hardening our hearts to His repeated invitations to repentance, righteousness, and abundant life. The faithfulness of the Rechabites serves not only as an inspiring example but also as a sobering mirror, prompting us to align our lives fully and unreservedly with the revealed will of God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life am I quick to obey human expectations, societal norms, or personal traditions, but slow to obey clear commands from God's Word?**
* **How consistently do I truly "hearken" to God's voice, not just hearing it, but actively submitting to it, especially when it requires personal sacrifice, discomfort, or a radical shift in perspective?**
* **What does God's "rising early and speaking" reveal about His character, His profound love, and His earnest desire for my life? How does this knowledge motivate and shape my response to Him?**
* **Are there any "ancestral commands" or deeply ingrained traditions in my life (cultural, familial, personal) that I consciously or unconsciously prioritize over God's direct commands and His revealed will?**

### FAQ
**Who were the Rechabites and why was their obedience so significant?**

Answer: The Rechabites were a distinct, nomadic clan descended from Jonadab (also called Jehonadab), who lived centuries before Jeremiah's time. Their significance lies in their unwavering, generational obedience to a specific set of ancestral commands, which included abstaining from wine, not building houses, and living exclusively in tents. In [Jeremiah 35](/jeremiah/35 "Jeremiah 35 - The Rechabites' Obedience"), God uses their steadfast fidelity to a human command as a powerful object lesson and a stark contrast to the persistent disobedience of the people of Judah to God's divine commands. Their faithfulness, maintained for over 250 years, highlighted Judah's profound spiritual failure and deep-seated rebellion against the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 35:14, while a powerful indictment of Judah's profound disobedience, finds its ultimate and glorious Christ-centered fulfillment in the perfect, unblemished obedience of Jesus Christ. Unlike Judah, who "hearkened not" to God's diligent and persistent appeals, Jesus perfectly embodied the spirit of absolute obedience, declaring, "I always do what pleases him" ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). He did not merely hear God's "words" but perfectly "performed" them, even to the point of His agonizing death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). Where the Rechabites obeyed a human command for generations, Christ obeyed the divine will of His Father in every single detail, fulfilling all righteousness ([Matthew 3:15](/matthew/3-15 "Matthew 3:15 - Fulfilling All Righteousness")) and perfectly demonstrating what true covenant faithfulness looks like. His life of perfect obedience stands as the ultimate "performance" of God's will, providing the righteousness that fallen humanity so desperately lacked. Furthermore, through His atoning sacrifice and the indwelling of His Spirit, Christ enables all those who believe in Him to receive a new heart and a new spirit, empowering them to genuinely "hearken" to God's voice and walk in His statutes, thereby fulfilling the glorious promise of the New Covenant where God's law is written on their hearts and His Spirit enables their obedience ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "The New Covenant") and [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, the failure of Judah highlighted in Jeremiah 35:14 points forward to the perfect obedience of Christ, which both condemns sin and provides the means for true, Spirit-empowered obedience for all who are in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 25:3

From the thirteenth year of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, even unto this day, that [is] the three and twentieth year, the word of the LORD hath come unto me, and I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened.

Jeremiah 25:4

And the LORD hath sent unto you all his servants the prophets, rising early and sending [them]; but ye have not hearkened, nor inclined your ear to hear.

Jeremiah 7:24

But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels [and] in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.

Jeremiah 7:26

Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers.

Proverbs 1:20

¶ Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

Proverbs 1:33

But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Isaiah 30:9

That this [is] a rebellious people, lying children, children [that] will not hear the law of the LORD: