Jeremiah 35

1 verbum quod factum est ad Hieremiam a Domino in diebus Ioachim filii Iosiae regis Iuda dicens

2 vade ad domum Rechabitarum et loquere eis et introduces eos in domum Domini in unam exedram thesaurorum et dabis eis bibere vinum

3 et adsumpsi Iezoniam filium Hieremiae filii Absaniae et fratres eius et omnes filios eius et universam domum Rechabitarum

4 et introduxi eos in domum Domini ad gazofilacium filiorum Anan filii Hiegedeliae hominis Dei quod erat iuxta gazofilacium principum super thesaurum Maasiae filii Sellum qui erat custos vestibuli

5 et posui coram filiis domus Rechabitarum scyphos plenos vino et calices et dixi ad eos bibite vinum

6 qui responderunt non bibemus vinum quia Ionadab filius Rechab pater noster praecepit nobis dicens non bibetis vinum vos et filii vestri usque in sempiternum

7 et domum non aedificabitis et sementem non seretis et vineas non plantabitis nec habebitis sed in tabernaculis habitabitis cunctis diebus vestris ut vivatis diebus multis super faciem terrae in qua vos peregrinamini

8 oboedivimus ergo voci Ionadab filii Rechab patris nostri in omnibus quae praecepit nobis ita ut non biberemus vinum cunctis diebus nostris nos et mulieres nostrae filii et filiae nostrae

9 et non aedificaremus domos ad habitandum et vineam et agrum et sementem non habuimus

10 sed habitavimus in tabernaculis et oboedientes fecimus iuxta omnia quae praecepit nobis Ionadab pater noster

11 cum autem ascendisset Nabuchodonosor rex Babylonis ad terram nostram diximus venite et ingrediamur Hierusalem a facie exercitus Chaldeorum et a facie exercitus Syriae et mansimus in Hierusalem

12 et factum est verbum Domini ad Hieremiam dicens

13 haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel vade et dic viris Iuda et habitatoribus Hierusalem numquid non recipietis disciplinam ut oboediatis verbis meis dicit Dominus

14 praevaluerunt sermones Ionadab filii Rechab quos praecepit filiis suis ut non biberent vinum et non biberunt usque ad diem hanc quia oboedierunt praecepto patris sui ego autem locutus sum ad vos de mane consurgens et loquens et non oboedistis mihi

15 misique ad vos omnes servos meos prophetas consurgens diluculo mittensque et dicens convertimini unusquisque a via sua pessima et bona facite studia vestra et nolite sequi deos alienos neque colatis eos et habitabitis in terra quam dedi vobis et patribus vestris et non inclinastis aurem vestram neque audistis me

16 firmaverunt igitur filii Ionadab filii Rechab praeceptum patris sui quod praeceperat eis populus autem iste non oboedivit mihi

17 idcirco haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel ecce ego adduco super Iudam et super omnes habitatores Hierusalem universam adflictionem quam locutus sum adversum eos eo quod locutus sum ad illos et non audierunt vocavi illos et non responderunt mihi

18 domui autem Rechabitarum dixit Hieremias haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel pro eo quod oboedistis praecepto Ionadab patris vestri et custodistis omnia mandata eius et fecistis universa quae praecepit vobis

19 propterea haec dicit Dominus exercituum Deus Israhel non deficiet vir de stirpe Ionadab filii Rechab stans in conspectu meo cunctis diebus

Jeremiah 35 Commentary

Chapter 35

The obedience of the Rechabites. (1-11) The Jews' disobedience to the Lord. (12-19)

Verses 1-11 Jonadab was famous for wisdom and piety. He lived nearly ( 2 Kings. 10:15 ) 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.

Verses 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.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 35

In this chapter the disobedience of the people of the Jews unto God is aggravated by the obedience of the Rechabites to their father; and the one are threatened with the judgments of God upon them, and the other have a promise of the divine blessing. The time of this prophecy is observed; Jer 35:1; an order to bring the Rechabites into one of the chambers of the temple, which was done accordingly, Jer 35:2-4; wine is set before them to drink; which they refuse; alleging the command of their father to the contrary, Jer 35:5-7; which they had carefully and constantly obeyed in every part of it, excepting that which respects their dwelling in tents; for which they give a reason, Jer 35:8-11; by this instance of filial obedience to parents, the disobedience of the Jews towards their Father, which is in heaven, is aggravated; who, though he gave them laws and commandments, and sent his prophets to put them in mind of them, and exhort them to obedience, yet hearkened not to them, Jer 35:12-15; wherefore the Lord threatens to bring all the evil on them he had pronounced, Jer 35:16,17; and promises the sons of Rechab that there should be always some of them that should minister unto him, Jer 35:18,19.