Jeremiah 35:15-17

15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me.

16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Rekab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’

17 “Therefore this is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.’ ”

Jeremiah 35:15-17 Meaning and Commentary

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.

Cross References

• 1. S Jeremiah 7:25
• 2. S 2 Kings 17:13; S Jeremiah 26:3
• 3. S Isaiah 1:16-17; S Isaiah 59:20; Jeremiah 4:1; Jeremiah 18:11; Ezekiel 14:6; Ezekiel 18:30
• 4. S Exodus 20:3
• 5. S Deuteronomy 4:40; Jeremiah 25:5
• 6. S Jeremiah 6:10; S Jeremiah 7:26; Jeremiah 44:4-5
• 7. S Leviticus 20:9; Malachi 1:6
• 8. S Joshua 23:15; S 1 Kings 13:34; Jeremiah 21:4-7
• 9. S Proverbs 1:24; Romans 10:21
• 10. Isaiah 65:12; Isaiah 66:4; Jeremiah 7:13