Jeremiah 35:8

Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;

Thus have we obeyed {H8085} the voice {H6963} of Jonadab {H3082} the son {H1121} of Rechab {H7394} our father {H1} in all that he hath charged {H6680} us, to drink {H8354} no wine {H3196} all our days {H3117}, we, our wives {H802}, our sons {H1121}, nor our daughters {H1323};

We have heeded the words of Yonadav the son of Rekhav, our ancestor, in all that he instructed us to do: not to drink wine as long as we live - we, our wives, our sons and our daughters;

And we have obeyed the voice of our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab in all he commanded us. So we have not drunk wine all our lives—neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters.

And we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters;

Commentary

Jeremiah 35:8 records the unwavering faithfulness of the Rechabites, a nomadic clan, to the commands of their ancestor, Jonadab. This specific verse emphasizes their strict adherence to the charge not to drink wine, a command they upheld across generations for hundreds of years. This remarkable obedience stands as a powerful object lesson presented by God through the prophet Jeremiah to the disobedient people of Judah.

Context

The prophet Jeremiah, under divine instruction, brought the Rechabites into the temple courts and offered them wine to drink. Their steadfast refusal, as detailed in Jeremiah chapter 35, was meant to highlight the stark contrast between their loyalty to a human ancestor's command and the persistent disobedience of the people of Judah to God's own divine commands. Jonadab, the son of Rechab, had given his descendants specific instructions, including abstaining from wine, living in tents, and not sowing seed or planting vineyards. The Rechabites' meticulous observance of these rules, as stated in this verse, served as a profound rebuke to Judah's rebellion against the Lord.

Key Themes

  • Unwavering Obedience: The primary theme is the Rechabites' steadfast and generational obedience to their ancestor's specific charge. Their commitment "all our days" demonstrates a rare level of faithfulness.
  • Faithfulness to a Legacy: This verse underscores the deep respect and commitment the Rechabites had for their family heritage and the words of their forefather, Jonadab.
  • Contrast and Rebuke: God used the Rechabites' exemplary obedience to shame Judah's profound and consistent disobedience to His covenant commands. If they could obey a man, how much more should Judah have obeyed God?
  • The Power of Example: The Rechabites' lifestyle, characterized by self-control and adherence to principles, served as a living sermon, illustrating the importance of hearing and doing.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "all our days" (Hebrew: kol-yāmêy-nū) is crucial, emphasizing the comprehensive and lifelong nature of their commitment. It signifies that this was not a temporary vow but a fundamental, generational principle that permeated every aspect of their lives and was passed down consistently through "we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters." This highlights the depth and continuity of their obedience.

Practical Application

The story of the Rechabites offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Prioritizing God's Word: If human commands can be obeyed with such diligence, how much more should we strive for unwavering obedience to God's divine commands, which lead to life and blessing?
  • Generational Faithfulness: This verse encourages parents and families to set godly examples and pass down spiritual principles and a legacy of faith to future generations.
  • Integrity and Consistency: The Rechabites' consistent living out of their convictions, even when it was counter-cultural or inconvenient, is a powerful reminder of the importance of integrity in our own walk with God.
  • Learning from Examples: God often uses both positive and negative examples in Scripture to teach us about faithfulness, the consequences of disobedience, and the blessings of living according to His will.
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Cross-References

  • Colossians 3:20 (4 votes)

    Children, obey [your] parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

  • Proverbs 4:10 (3 votes)

    Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.

  • Proverbs 4:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.

  • Proverbs 4:2 (3 votes)

    For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.

  • Proverbs 1:8 (3 votes)

    My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

  • Proverbs 1:9 (3 votes)

    For they [shall be] an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.

  • Proverbs 6:20 (3 votes)

    ¶ My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: