Jeremiah 35:7

Jeremiah 35:7 KJV: "Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have [any]: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye [be] strangers."

Context of Jeremiah 35:7

Jeremiah 35 introduces the remarkable story of the Rechabites, a nomadic clan descendants of Jonadab, son of Rechab. This verse highlights a core command given to them by their ancestor centuries prior: to abstain from building houses, sowing crops, planting vineyards, and drinking wine. Instead, they were to live a simple, nomadic life in tents. The prophet Jeremiah uses the Rechabites' unwavering obedience to their earthly father's command as a stark contrast to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, who consistently defied God's own commands and warnings delivered through His prophets. This chapter serves as a powerful object lesson on faithfulness and obedience.

Key Themes and Messages

• Unwavering Obedience: The Rechabites' multi-generational adherence to their forefather's specific and restrictive commands is presented as an exemplary model of faithfulness. Their commitment underscores the importance of honoring ancestral precepts, especially when those precepts align with a life of discipline.
• Distinctive Lifestyle: Their refusal to settle, build, or cultivate set them apart from the surrounding culture. This nomadic existence in tents symbolized their detachment from worldly possessions and a commitment to a simpler, more disciplined way of life.
• Sojourners and Strangers: The phrase "that ye may live many days in the land where ye [be] strangers" emphasizes their transient status. Their tent-dwelling life reinforced their identity as non-permanent residents, mirroring a spiritual truth for God's people who are often called to live as strangers and pilgrims on earth, with their ultimate home elsewhere.
• Promise of Longevity: The connection between their obedience and living "many days in the land" suggests a divine blessing for their faithfulness, even though the command originated from a human father. This echoes the principle of blessing for obedience found throughout Scripture.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "nor have [any]" in the KJV text of Jeremiah 35:7 is an ellipsis, implying "nor have any possession" related to the preceding items (houses, cultivated land). It emphasizes their complete detachment from settled agricultural life and permanent land ownership. The Hebrew word for "strangers" (gerim) frequently refers to resident aliens or sojourners, highlighting their non-native, transient status in the land, even after generations.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 35:7, through the example of the Rechabites, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers:

• Commitment to God's Word: Just as the Rechabites were steadfast in their commitment to their father's word, believers are called to even greater faithfulness to God's divine commands. Our obedience should surpass theirs, as our Father is infinitely greater.
• Living Distinctively: The Rechabites' counter-cultural lifestyle serves as a reminder that Christians are called to be "in the world but not of the world." We should be willing to adopt practices or abstain from others if it helps us live more faithfully and distinctly for God, avoiding excessive attachment to earthly comforts and possessions.
• Spiritual Pilgrimage: Recognizing our status as "strangers and pilgrims" on earth helps us prioritize eternal values over temporary worldly gains. This perspective encourages us to live with a heavenly mindset, knowing our true home is with God.