2 "Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak to them, and bring them into the house of the Lord , into one of the chambers , and give them wine to drink ." 3 Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah , son of Habazziniah , and his brothers and all his sons and the whole house of the Rechabites , 4 and I brought them into the house of the Lord , into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah , the man of God , which was near the chamber of the officials , which was above e the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum , the doorkeeper . 5 Then I set before the men of the house of the Rechabites pitchers full of wine and cups ; and I said to them, " Drink wine !" 6 But they said , "We will not drink wine , for Jonadab the son of Rechab , our father , commanded us, saying , 'You shall not drink wine , you or your sons , forever e . 7 'You shall not build a house , and you shall not sow seed and you shall not plant a vineyard or own one; but in tents you shall dwell all your days , that you may live many days in the land where e you sojourn .' 8 "We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab , our father , in all that he commanded us, not to drink wine all our days , we, our wives , our sons or our daughters , 9 nor to build ourselves houses to dwell in; and we do not have vineyard or field or seed . 10 "We have only dwelt in tents , and have obeyed and have done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us. 11 "But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against the land , we said , 'Come and let us go to Jerusalem before e the army of the Chaldeans and before e the army of the Arameans .' So we have dwelt in Jerusalem ."
12 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah , saying , 13 "Thus says the Lord of hosts , the God of Israel , 'Go and say to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem , " Will you not receive instruction by listening to My words ?" declares the Lord . 14 "The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab , which he commanded his sons not to drink wine , are observed . So they do not drink wine to this day , for they have obeyed their father's command . But I have spoken to you again and again ; yet you have not listened to Me. 15 "Also I have sent to you all My servants the prophets , sending them again and again , saying : ' Turn now every man from his evil way and amend your deeds , and do not go after other gods to worship them. Then you will dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your forefathers ; but you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me. 16 'Indeed , the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have observed the command of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to Me.' "' 17 "Therefore thus says the Lord , the God of hosts , the God of Israel , 'Behold , I am bringing on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them; because I spoke to them but they did not listen , and I have called them but they did not answer .' " 18 Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites , "Thus says the Lord of hosts , the God of Israel , 'Because e you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father , kept all his commands and done according to all that he commanded you; 19 therefore thus says the Lord of hosts , the God of Israel , "Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me always e .""'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Jeremiah 35:2-19
Commentary on Jeremiah 35:1-11
(Read Jeremiah 35:1-11)
Jonadab was famous for wisdom and piety. He lived nearly 300 years before, 2 Kings 10:15. Jonadab charged his posterity not to drink wine. He also appointed them to dwell in tents, or movable dwelling: this would teach them not to think of settling any where in this world. To keep low, would be the way to continue long in the land where they were strangers. Humility and contentment are always the best policy, and men's surest protection. Also, that they might not run into unlawful pleasures, they were to deny themselves even lawful delights. The consideration that we are strangers and pilgrims should oblige us to abstain from all fleshly lusts. Let them have little to lose, and then losing times would be the less dreadful: let them sit loose to what they had, and then they might with less pain be stript of it. Those are in the best frame to meet sufferings who live a life of self-denial, and who despise the vanities of the world. Jonadab's posterity observed these rules strictly, only using proper means for their safety in a time of general suffering.
Commentary on Jeremiah 35:12-19
(Read Jeremiah 35:12-19)
The trial of the Rechabites' constancy was for a sign; it made the disobedience of the Jews to God the more marked. The Rechabites were obedient to one who was but a man like themselves, and Jonadab never did for his seed what God has done for his people. Mercy is promised to the Rechabites. We are not told respecting the performance of this promise; but doubtless it was performed, and travellers say the Rechabites may be found a separate people to this day. Let us follow the counsels of our pious forefathers, and we shall find good in so doing.