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Commentary on Jeremiah 35 verses 1–11
This chapter is of an earlier date than many of those before; for what is contained in it was said and done in the days of Jehoiakim (Jer 35:1); but then it must be in the latter part of his reign, for it was after the king of Babylon with his army came up into the land (Jer 35:11), which seems to refer to the invasion mentioned Kg2 24:2, which was upon occasion of Jehoiakim's rebelling against Nebuchadnezzar. After the judgments of God had broken in upon this rebellious people he continued to deal with them by his prophets to turn them from sin, that his wrath might turn away from the. For this purpose Jeremiah sets before them the example of the Rechabites, a family that kept distinct by themselves and were no more numbered with the families of Israel than they with the nations. They were originally Kenites, as appears Ch1 2:55, These are the Kenites that came out of Hemath, the father of the house of Rechab. The Kenites, at least those of them that gained a settlement in the land of Israel, were of the posterity of Hobab, Moses's father-in-law, Jdg 1:16. We find them separated from the Amalekites, Sa1 15:6. See Jdg 4:17. One family of these Kenites had their denomination from Rechab. His son, or a lineal descendant from him, was Jonadab, a man famous in his time for wisdom and piety. he flourished in the days of Jehu, king of Israel, nearly 300 years before this; for there we find him courted by that rising prince, when he affected to appear zealous for God (Kg2 10:15, Kg2 10:16), which he thought nothing more likely to confirm people in the opinion of than to have so good a man as Jonadab ride in the chariot with him. Now here we are told,
I. What the rules of living were which Jonadab, probably by his last will and testament, in writing, and duly executed, charged his children, and his posterity after him throughout all generations, religiously to observe; and we have reason to think that they were such as he himself had all his days observed.
1.They were comprised in two remarkable precepts: - (1.) He forbade them to drink wine, according to the law of the Nazarites. Wine is indeed given to make glad the heart of man and we are allowed the sober and moderate use of it; but we are so apt to abuse it and get hurt by it, and a good man, who has his heart made continually glad with the light of God's countenance, has so little need of it for that purpose (Psa 4:6, Psa 4:7), that it is a commendable piece of self-denial either not to use it at all or very sparingly and medicinally, as Timothy used it, Ti1 5:23. (2.) He appointed them to dwell in tents, and not to build houses, nor purchase lands, nor rent or occupy either, Jer 35:7. This was an instance of strictness and mortification beyond what the Nazarenes were obliged to. Tents were mean dwellings, so that this would teach them to be humble; they were cold dwellings, so that this would teach them to be hardy and not to indulge the body; they were movable dwellings, so that this would teach them not to think of settling or taking root any where in this world. They must dwell in tents all their days. They must from the beginning thus accustom themselves to endure hardness, and then it would be no difficulty to them, no, not under the decays of old age. Now,
2.Why did Jonadab prescribe these rules of living to his posterity? It was not merely to show his authority, and to exercise a dominion over them, by imposing upon them what he thought fit; but it was to show his wisdom, and the real concern he had for their welfare, by recommending to them what he knew would be beneficial to them, yet not tying them by any oath or vow, or under any penalty, to observe these rules, but only advising them to conform to this discipline as far as they found it for edification, yet to be dispensed with in any case of necessity, as here, Jer 35:11. He prescribed these rules to them, (1.) That they might preserve the ancient character of their family, which, however looked upon by some with contempt, he thought its real reputation. His ancestors had addicted themselves to a pastoral life (Exo 2:16), and he would have his posterity keep to it, and not degenerate from it, as Israel had done, who originally were shepherds and dwelt in tents, Gen 46:34. Note, We ought not to be ashamed of the honest employments of our ancestors, though they were but mean. (2.) That they might comport with their lot and bring their mind to their condition. Moses had put them in hopes that they should be naturalized (Num 10:32); but, it seems they were not; they were still strangers in the land (Jer 35:7), had no inheritance in it, and therefore must live by their employments, which was a good reason why they should accustom themselves to hard fare and hard lodging; for strangers, such as they were, must not expect to live as the landed men, so plentifully and delicately. Note, It is our wisdom and duty to accommodate ourselves to our place and rank, and not aim to live above it. What has been the lot of our fathers why may we not be content that it should be our lot, and live according to it? Mind not high things. (3.) That they might not be envied and disturbed by their neighbours among whom they lived. If they that were strangers should live great, raise estates, and fare sumptuously, the natives would grudge them their abundance, and have a jealous eye upon them, as the Philistines had upon Isaac (Gen 26:14), and would seek occasions to quarrel with them and do them a mischief; therefore he thought it would be their prudence to keep low, for that would be the way to continue long-to live meanly, that they might live many days in the land where they were strangers. Note, Humility and contentment in obscurity are often the best policy and men's surest protection. (4.) That they might be armed against temptations to luxury and sensuality, the prevailing sin of the age and place they lived in. Jonadab saw a general corruption of manners; the drunkards of Ephraim abounded, and he was afraid lest his children should be debauched and ruined by them; and therefore he obliged them to live by themselves, retired in the country; and, that they might not run into any unlawful pleasures, to deny themselves the use even of lawful delights. They must be very sober, and temperate, and abstemious, which would contribute to the health both of mind and body, and to their living many days, and easy ones, and such as they might reflect upon with comfort in the land where they were strangers. Note, The consideration of this, that we are strangers and pilgrims, should oblige us to abstain from all fleshly lusts, to live above the things of sense, and look upon them with a generous and gracious contempt. (5.) That they might be prepared for times of trouble and calamity. Jonadab might, without a spirit of prophecy, foresee the destruction of a people so wretchedly degenerated, and he would have his family provide, that, if they could not in the peace thereof, yet even in the midst of the troubles thereof, they might have peace. Let them therefore have little to lose, and then losing times would be the less dreadful to them: let them sit loose to what they had, and then they might with less pain be stripped of it. Note, Those are in the best frame to meet sufferings who are mortified to the world and life a life of self-denial. (6.) That in general they might learn to live by rule and under discipline. It is good for us all to do so, and to teach our children to do so. Those that have lived long, as Jonadab probably had done when he left this charge to his posterity, can speak by experience of the vanity of the world and the dangerous snares that are in the abundance of its wealth and pleasures, and therefore ought to be regarded when they warn those that come after them to stand upon their guard.
II. How strictly his posterity observed these rules, Jer 35:8-10. They had in their respective generations all of them obeyed the voice of Jonadab their father, had done according to all that he commanded them. They drank no wine, though they dwelt in a country where was plenty of it; their wives and children drank no wine, for those that are temperate themselves should take care that all under their charge should be so too. They built no houses, tilled no ground, but lived upon the products of their cattle. This they did partly in obedience to their ancestor, and out of a veneration they had for his name and authority, and partly from the experience they themselves had of the benefit of living such a mortified life. See the force of tradition, and the influence that antiquity, example, and great names, have upon men, and how that which seems very difficult will by long usage and custom become easy and in a manner natural. Now, 1. As to one of the particulars he had given them in charge, we are here told how in a case of necessity they dispensed with the violation of it (Jer 35:11): When the king of Babylon came into the land with his army, though they had hitherto dwelt in tents, they now quitted their tents, and came and dwelt in Jerusalem, and in such houses as they could furnish themselves with there. Note, The rules of a strict discipline must not be made too strict, but so as to admit of a dispensation when the necessity of a case calls for it, which therefore, in making vows of that nature, it is wisdom to provide expressly for, that the way may be made the more clear, and we may not afterwards be forced to say, It was an error, Ecc 5:6. Commands of that nature are to be understood with such limitations. These Rechabites would have tempted God, and not trusted him, if they had not used proper means for their own safety in a time of common calamity, notwithstanding the law and custom of their family. 2. As to the other particular, we are here told how, notwithstanding the greatest urgency, they religiously adhered to it. Jeremiah took them into the temple (Jer 35:2), into a prophet's chamber, there, rather than into the chamber of the princes, that joined to it, because he had a message from God, which would look more like itself when it was delivered in the chambers of a man of God. There he not only asked the Rechabites whether they would drink any wine, but he set pots full of wine before them, and cups to drink out of, made the temptation as strong as possible, and said, "Drink you wine, you shall have it on free cost. You have broken one of the rules of your order, in coming to live at Jerusalem; why may you not break this too, and when you are in the city do as they there do?" But they peremptorily refused. They all agreed in the refusal. "No, we will drink no wine; for with us it is against the law." The prophet knew very well they would deny it, and, when they did, urged it no further, for he saw they were stedfastly resolved. Note, Those temptations are of no force with men of confirmed sobriety which yet daily overcome such as, notwithstanding their convictions, are of no resolution in the paths of virtue.
[Daniel 7:1] "In the first year of Belshazzar, King of Babylon, Daniel beheld a dream. And a vision of his head upon his bed. And when he wrote the dream down, he comprehended it in a few words and gave a brief summary of it, saying..." This section which we now undertake to explain, and also the subsequent section which we are going to discuss, is historically prior to the two previous sections. For this present section and that which follows it are recorded to have taken place in the first and third years of the reign of King Belshazzar (Jeremiah 39) [Jerome's citation of Jeremiah 39 seems quite pointless in this connection]. But the section which we read previously to the one just preceding this, is recorded to have taken place in the last year, indeed on the final day, of Belshaz-zar's reign. And we meet this phenomenon not only in Daniel but also in Jeremiah [cf. Jeremiah 35 and Jeremiah 34] and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 17), as we shall be able to show, if life spares us that long. But in the earlier portion of the book, the historical order has been followed, namely the events which occurred in the time of Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar, and Darius or Cyrus. But in the passages now before us an account is given of various visions which were beheld on particular occasions and of which only the prophet himself was aware, and which therefore lacked any importance as signs or revelations so far as the barbarian nations were concerned. But they were written down only that a record of the things beheld might be preserved for posterity.
The sons of Jonadab, we are told, drank neither wine nor strong drink and dwelled in tents pitched wherever night overtook them. According to the Psalter, they were the first to undergo captivity; for, when the Chaldaeans began to ravage Judah, they were compelled to take refuge in cities.Others may think what they like and follow each his own bent. But to me a town is a prison and solitude paradise. Why do we long for the bustle of cities, we whose very name speaks of loneliness? To fit him for the leadership of the Jewish people, Moses was trained for forty years in the wilderness. And it was not until after these that the shepherd of sheep became a shepherd of people. The apostles were fishers on Gennesaret before they became “fishers of people.” But at the Lord’s call they forsook all that they had, father, net and ship, and bore their cross daily without so much as a rod in their hands.
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SUMMARY
Jeremiah 35:6 records the unwavering refusal of the Rechabites to drink wine, a direct and steadfast response to Jeremiah's divinely orchestrated test. Their resolute adherence to the centuries-old command of their ancestor, Jonadab son of Rechab, to abstain from wine and live a nomadic lifestyle, serves as a profound and living object lesson. This remarkable act of consistent, intergenerational obedience stands in stark contrast to the persistent disobedience and spiritual rebellion of the people of Judah and Jerusalem to God's covenant commands, thereby highlighting Judah's profound spiritual failure and the righteousness of God's impending judgment.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Jeremiah 35:6 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The primary device is Contrast, as the unwavering obedience of the Rechabites to a human command is starkly and powerfully juxtaposed with the persistent, defiant disobedience of Judah to God's divine, covenantal commands. This stark contrast serves as a severe Rebuke to the people of Judah, highlighting their spiritual negligence, covenant unfaithfulness, and profound ingratitude. The entire scenario, orchestrated by God through Jeremiah, functions as an Object Lesson, designed to visually and experientially demonstrate Judah's spiritual bankruptcy and the gravity of their rebellion. There is also a significant element of Symbolism: the "wine" itself symbolizes the comforts, indulgences, and potential corruptions of settled life, while the Rechabites' abstinence from it symbolizes their commitment to a simpler, purer devotion to Yahweh and their distinct nomadic identity. Finally, the phrase "for ever" employs Hyperbole to emphasize the enduring, perpetual, and unbroken nature of their commitment, underscoring the extraordinary depth of their generational faithfulness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Rechabites' exemplary obedience to their human father's command, meticulously maintained for centuries, serves as a profound theological mirror reflecting Judah's egregious and persistent disobedience to their divine Father's covenant. This narrative underscores the fundamental biblical principle that genuine faith is demonstrated through consistent, unwavering, and heartfelt obedience, not merely through outward ritual, religious profession, or superficial adherence. It highlights the critical importance of a spiritual heritage, where righteous principles and divine commands are not only taught intellectually but are also lived out authentically and intentionally passed down through generations, thereby creating a lasting legacy of faithfulness. The Rechabites' unwavering commitment to their vow, even when it meant resisting social norms, personal desires, or the convenience of a settled life, exemplifies integrity, conviction, and a deep respect for authority, challenging believers today to examine the depth of their own commitment to God's infallible Word. Their story is a powerful reminder that God values a heart of sincere obedience more than outward religious observance, and He can use even seemingly minor acts of faithfulness to expose greater spiritual failings and call His people to a deeper walk.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The steadfast obedience of the Rechabites in Jeremiah 35:6 offers a compelling and convicting challenge for contemporary believers. Their unwavering commitment to an ancestral command, maintained with remarkable consistency across countless generations, stands in stark contrast with the often-casual, selective, or convenient approach many take toward God's eternal, life-giving, and unchanging commands. This passage compels us to deeply examine the depth and sincerity of our own obedience: do we truly honor God's Word with the same integrity, resolve, and steadfastness that the Rechabites showed for a human vow? It also profoundly prompts reflection on the spiritual legacy we are actively building and transmitting. Are we intentionally cultivating a heritage of genuine faith, disciplined living, and devoted obedience to God that will not only impact our immediate families but also endure in our communities and beyond our lifetime, much like Jonadab did for his descendants? The Rechabites' willingness to stand firm in their convictions, even when challenged in a sacred space and under duress, serves as a powerful reminder for us to maintain our Christian integrity and distinct identity in a world that constantly pressures us to conform, trusting that our faithfulness, however small or seemingly insignificant, can be a powerful and living testimony to God's enduring truth and the transformative power of His Word.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who were the Rechabites, and why were they significant in this passage?
Answer: The Rechabites were a distinct, non-Israelite clan, possibly descendants of the Kenites, who lived according to a strict set of ascetic rules laid down by their ancestor, Jonadab (also known as Jehonadab), centuries earlier. These rules included abstaining from wine, not building houses, not sowing seed, and perpetually living in tents. Their significance in Jeremiah 35 lies in their unwavering and intergenerational obedience to these human commands. God used their steadfast faithfulness as a powerful object lesson to expose and rebuke the persistent disobedience of the people of Judah and Jerusalem to His divine covenant commands, thereby highlighting Judah's profound spiritual rebellion by stark contrast.
Why did Jonadab command his descendants to abstain from wine and live nomadically?
Answer: While the Bible doesn't explicitly state Jonadab's full reasoning, his commands were likely intended to preserve a simple, pure devotion to Yahweh and to guard his descendants against the corrupting influences often associated with settled, agricultural, and urban life. In ancient Israel, settled life frequently led to the adoption of Canaanite idolatry, moral decay, and an excessive dependence on material possessions. By abstaining from wine and maintaining a nomadic lifestyle, the Rechabites fostered a distinct identity, cultivating a spirit of detachment from worldly comforts and a greater reliance on God, similar in principle to the Nazirite vow described in Numbers 6:1-4.
What was the main message God intended for Judah by using the Rechabites as an example?
Answer: The main message God intended for Judah was a stark rebuke and an urgent call to repentance. God sought to demonstrate how shameful and inexcusable their disobedience was by contrasting it with the Rechabites' unwavering obedience to a mere human command. If a human directive could be honored with such integrity and consistency for centuries, how much more should Judah, God's chosen people, have honored the commands of the Almighty God, who had delivered them from slavery and established an eternal covenant with them? The Rechabites' faithfulness served as a powerful mirror reflecting Judah's profound spiritual laxity, covenant negligence, and blatant ingratitude, underscoring the severity of their impending judgment and the necessity of immediate repentance.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The unwavering obedience of the Rechabites, though commendable and exemplary, ultimately points to the perfect and ultimate obedience of Jesus Christ. While the Rechabites faithfully kept a human command passed down through generations, Christ perfectly fulfilled every divine command and the entire Law of God, declaring that He came not to abolish but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets. Their refusal to drink wine, symbolizing separation and purity, foreshadows Christ's ultimate act of self-emptying and separation from sin on the cross, where He became the spotless Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. Unlike the temporary nature and limited scope of human vows, Jesus' perfect obedience established an eternal covenant, sealed by His own precious blood, offering true and lasting redemption that is not merely symbolic but efficacious for all who believe, as He entered the holy places not by the blood of goats and calves but by His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. The Rechabites' generational faithfulness, while admirable in its human context, is transcended by Christ, who is the true "Father" of an eternal spiritual lineage, bringing forth sons and daughters into God's kingdom not by human command or biological descent, but by divine grace through faith in His name, granting them the right to become children of God. He is the ultimate fulfillment of perfect obedience and the divine source of true spiritual heritage for all who believe and follow Him.