Jeremiah 35:16

16 Because the sons of Yehonadav the son of Rechav have performed the mitzvah of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to me;

Jeremiah 35:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 35:16

Because the son of Jonadab the son of Rechab
Here we have the contrast between the Rechabites and the Israelites; the obedience of the one, and the disobedience of the other; the design of which is to aggravate and expose the sin of the Jews, since the former have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded
them;
that particular commandment of not drinking wine, which they had never once violated in such a course of time; nor could they now be prevailed upon, even by the prophet himself, to do it: but this people hath not hearkened unto me;
the Lord their God, their father that bought them, made them, and established them. Gross ingratitude! ( Deuteronomy 32:6 ) .

Jeremiah 35:16 In-Context

14 The words of Yehonadav the son of Rechav, that he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; and to this day they drink none, for they obey their father's mitzvah: but I have spoken to you, rising up early and speaking; and you have not listened to me.

15 I have sent also to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, Return you now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and don't go after other gods to serve them, and you shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but you have not inclined your ear, nor listened to me.

16 Because the sons of Yehonadav the son of Rechav have performed the mitzvah of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to me;

17 therefore thus says the LORD, the God Tzva'ot,, the God of Yisra'el: Behold, I will bring on Yehudah and on all the inhabitants of Yerushalayim all the evil that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them, but they have not heard; and I have called to them, but they have not answered.

18 Yirmeyahu said to the house of the Rechavim, Thus says the LORD of Hosts, the God of Yisra'el: Because you have obeyed the mitzvah of Yehonadav your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according to all that he commanded you;