Jeremiah 35:18

KJV

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:

KJV (with Strong's)

And Jeremiah {H3414} said {H559} unto the house {H1004} of the Rechabites {H7397}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Because ye have obeyed {H8085} the commandment {H4687} of Jonadab {H3082} your father {H1}, and kept {H8104} all his precepts {H4687}, and done {H6213} according unto all that he hath commanded {H6680} you:

Complete Jewish Bible

Then to the clan of the Rekhavim Yirmeyahu said, "Here is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: 'Because you have heeded the order of Yonadav your ancestor, observed all his commands and done what he ordered you to do;

Berean Standard Bible

Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites: “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you have obeyed the command of your forefather Jonadab and have kept all his commandments and have done all that he charged you to do,

American Standard Version

And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith Jehovah 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 commanded you;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 35:18 records the divine commendation delivered by the prophet Jeremiah to the Rechabites, a nomadic clan distinguished by their unwavering, multi-generational adherence to the strict ancestral vows of Jonadab, their forefather. This verse marks God's explicit recognition and blessing upon them for their steadfast obedience, contrasting sharply with the persistent disobedience of the people of Judah and Jerusalem, thereby serving as a powerful object lesson on faithfulness to divine commands.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 35 is a pivotal chapter within the book of Jeremiah, strategically placed to highlight the stark contrast between the faithfulness of a non-Israelite clan and the unfaithfulness of God's chosen people, Judah. Leading up to this verse, God commands Jeremiah to test the Rechabites by offering them wine in the temple chambers, an act that directly challenges their ancestral vow of abstinence (Jeremiah 35:1-5). Their steadfast refusal, explained in Jeremiah 35:6-11, sets the stage for God's divine pronouncement. Following Jeremiah 35:18, God pronounces a lasting blessing upon the Rechabites (Jeremiah 35:19) and then uses their exemplary obedience to rebuke Judah for their consistent rejection of His prophetic warnings and covenant stipulations (Jeremiah 35:12-17). The chapter serves as a profound object lesson, emphasizing the gravity of Judah's sin and the righteousness of God's impending judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 35 unfold during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely during the reign of King Jehoiakim (c. 609-598 BC), a time marked by widespread idolatry, social injustice, and political instability, leading up to the Babylonian exile. The Rechabites were a distinct, semi-nomadic group, possibly related to the Kenites (cf. [Judges 1:16](/judges/1-16 "Judges 1:16 - The Kenites and Judah")), who had maintained a unique lifestyle based on the commands of their ancestor Jonadab, son of Rechab, who lived centuries earlier (cf. [2 Kings 10:15-16](/2_kings/10-15 "2 Kings 10:15-16 - Jehonadab's Alliance with Jehu")). Their vows included abstaining from wine, not building houses, not sowing seed, and living in tents, reflecting a commitment to a simple, uncorrupted way of life, perhaps as a protest against the corrupting influences of urban Canaanite culture. Their presence in Jerusalem during this time was likely due to the threat of the Babylonian and Aramean raiders (Jeremiah 35:11), forcing them to seek refuge within the city walls.

* **Key Themes:** The central theme of Jeremiah 35, powerfully encapsulated in this verse, is **Obedience and Disobedience**. The Rechabites' unwavering fidelity to a human command, passed down through generations, stands in stark contrast to Judah's consistent and profound disobedience to God's divine covenant and numerous prophetic warnings (see [Jeremiah 7:23-26](/jeremiah/7-23 "Jeremiah 7:23-26 - Israel's Disobedience")). This highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, or rather, the lack thereof on Judah's part. The narrative also underscores **Divine Justice and Mercy**, as God pronounces judgment on Judah for their rebellion while simultaneously demonstrating His recognition and blessing upon the Rechabites for their integrity. Finally, the chapter presents the **Power of Example**, as the Rechabites serve as a living parable, demonstrating that faithfulness, even to human precepts, can be a powerful testimony, especially when contrasted with widespread spiritual apathy.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **obeyed (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This primitive root means "to hear intelligently," often implying "attention, obedience, etc." In this context, it signifies not merely hearing with the ears but actively listening and responding with compliance. The Rechabites' obedience was not passive but an active, conscious choice to adhere to their father's directives, demonstrating a deep-seated commitment that spanned generations.
* **commandment (Hebrew, _mitsvâh'_):** Derived from the root "to constitute, enjoin," this word refers to a command, precept, or ordinance, whether human or divine. Here, it specifically refers to the directives given by Jonadab. The fact that the Rechabites had "kept all his precepts" and "done according unto all that he hath commanded" them emphasizes the comprehensive and meticulous nature of their obedience, extending beyond mere acknowledgment to full execution.
* **LORD of hosts (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh tsâbâʼ'_):** This powerful divine title combines the covenant name of God, YHWH (the self-Existent or Eternal), with "hosts," referring to a mass of persons, especially an organized army, or heavenly bodies. "LORD of hosts" signifies God's supreme sovereignty and power as the commander of all heavenly and earthly armies, the universe, and all its inhabitants. When this title is used in a pronouncement, it underscores the absolute authority and unchallengeable truth of the message being delivered.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites,"**: This opening clause establishes the speaker and the audience. Jeremiah, acting as God's messenger, directly addresses the Rechabite clan, setting the stage for a solemn divine pronouncement. The public nature of this address, likely in the temple chambers, amplifies its significance as a public object lesson for Judah.
* **"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel;"**: This is a classic prophetic formula, lending immense divine authority to the words that follow. The double title—"the LORD of hosts" (emphasizing God's universal sovereignty and power) and "the God of Israel" (emphasizing His covenant relationship with His chosen people)—underscores the weight and truth of the message. It is not merely Jeremiah's opinion but a direct word from the Almighty, the covenant-keeping God.
* **"Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father,"**: This clause provides the primary reason for God's commendation. The Rechabites' obedience is highlighted, specifically their adherence to the "commandment" (singular, referring to the collective body of instructions) of their human ancestor, Jonadab. This obedience is presented as the foundational act that merits divine favor.
* **"and kept all his precepts,"**: This phrase reinforces the comprehensive nature of their obedience. "Kept" (Hebrew: *shâmar*) implies guarding, preserving, and diligently observing. "All his precepts" (using the same Hebrew word as "commandment," *mitsvâh*) indicates that they did not selectively obey but meticulously adhered to every detail of Jonadab's instructions, demonstrating a remarkable level of faithfulness.
* **"and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:"**: This final clause reiterates and emphasizes the completeness of their compliance. "Done" (Hebrew: *ʻâsâh*) signifies active performance and execution. The repetition of "all that he hath commanded you" underscores the thoroughness and consistency of their obedience over generations. It was not just hearing or knowing, but actively living out, the ancestral commands.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 35:18 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Contrast**, where the exemplary obedience of the Rechabites to a human command is set against the profound disobedience of Judah to God's divine commands. This contrast serves to highlight Judah's culpability and the righteousness of God's impending judgment. The verse also features **Divine Speech**, introduced by the authoritative prophetic formula, "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel." This direct address from God elevates the significance of the Rechabites' actions and the subsequent blessing, imbuing the narrative with undeniable divine weight. Furthermore, the entire narrative of Jeremiah 35 functions as an **Exemplum** or a living parable, where the Rechabites serve as a tangible, observable example of faithfulness, intended to provoke self-reflection and repentance in the disobedient people of Judah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 35:18 profoundly illustrates the principle that God values and honors obedience, even when it is directed towards human authority, provided it does not contradict His divine will. The Rechabites' steadfastness to their father's command, passed down through centuries, serves as a powerful indictment of Judah's failure to obey their heavenly Father. This narrative underscores that true faith is demonstrated through consistent, active compliance with known commands, regardless of convenience or cultural pressure. God's commendation here reveals His character as one who sees and rewards faithfulness, highlighting that even seemingly small acts of obedience are not overlooked in His divine economy.

* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Better Than Sacrifice")
* [Luke 11:28](/luke/11-28 "Luke 11:28 - Blessed Are Those Who Hear and Obey")
* [Hebrews 11:8](/hebrews/11-8 "Hebrews 11:8 - Abraham's Obedience of Faith")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The example of the Rechabites in Jeremiah 35:18 offers a profound challenge and encouragement for believers today. Their multi-generational commitment to a human command, maintained with unwavering discipline, compels us to examine the depth and consistency of our own obedience to the living God. If such faithfulness to an earthly father's precepts could earn divine commendation, how much more should we strive for wholehearted, joyful obedience to the commands of our heavenly Father, whose ways are perfect and whose will is always good? This verse reminds us that true spirituality is not merely about profession but about consistent practice, about living out our faith in tangible acts of submission and trust. It calls us to cultivate a disciplined life, recognizing that our faithfulness, however small it may seem, is seen and valued by God, and can serve as a powerful witness to a disobedient world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I called to greater obedience to God's revealed will?**
* **What "precepts" or commands of God have I found challenging to "keep" or "do," and what steps can I take to align my life more fully with them?**
* **How does my personal and corporate obedience (or lack thereof) serve as a "sign" or "example" to those around me, just as the Rechabites were to Judah?**

### FAQ
**Why did God commend the Rechabites for obeying a human command, rather than His own laws?**

Answer: God commended the Rechabites not because human commands supersede divine law, but because their steadfast obedience to Jonadab's precepts served as a powerful, living illustration of the very faithfulness that Judah lacked towards God's covenant. The Rechabites' centuries-long adherence to their ancestral vows demonstrated a remarkable level of discipline, integrity, and respect for authority. God used their consistent, unwavering commitment to a lesser command to shame Judah, who had repeatedly ignored and rebelled against the far greater commands of the Almighty God of Israel (as highlighted in [Jeremiah 35:14-15](/jeremiah/35-14 "Jeremiah 35:14-15 - God's Rebuke of Judah")). Their obedience was a mirror reflecting Judah's profound disobedience, underscoring the severity of Judah's sin and the justice of God's impending judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 35:18, with its commendation of the Rechabites for their radical obedience, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the Rechabites demonstrated exemplary faithfulness to a human father's commands, Jesus perfectly embodied absolute and unwavering obedience to His heavenly Father's will (cf. [John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Does What Pleases the Father")). Unlike the people of Judah, who consistently rebelled against God's commands, Jesus lived a life of perfect submission, declaring, "I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but to do the will of him who sent me" ([John 6:38](/john/6-38 "John 6:38 - Jesus' Submission to the Father's Will")). His obedience was not merely to precepts but to the sacrificial mission of redemption, culminating in His death on the cross (cf. [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). Through His perfect obedience, Christ fulfilled all righteousness and established a new covenant, making it possible for us, through faith in Him, to be counted righteous and to receive the Spirit who empowers our own obedience (cf. [Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Through One Man's Obedience")). The Rechabites' enduring lineage, promised in the following verse, foreshadows the eternal spiritual lineage established through Christ's obedient sacrifice, where all who believe become children of God and heirs of His promises (cf. [Galatians 3:26-29](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26-29 - Children of God Through Faith in Christ")).

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

Exodus 20:12

¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Deuteronomy 5:16

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Ephesians 6:1

¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

Ephesians 6:3

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.