Note: Words are shown in their original Hebrew order, which differs from English translations. This reflects the emphasis and structure of Scripture as originally written. Click any word to see its full lexicon entry.
1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah:
4and I brought them into the house of the LORD, to a chamber occupied by the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God. This room was near the chamber of the officials, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah son of Shallum the doorkeeper.
6“We do not drink wine,” they replied, “for our forefather Jonadab son of Rechab commanded us, ‘Neither you nor your descendants are ever to drink wine.
7Nor are you ever to build a house or sow seed or plant a vineyard. Those things are not for you. Instead, you must live in tents all your lives, so that you may live a long time in the land where you wander.’
8And 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.
11So when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched into the land, we said: ‘Come, let us go into Jerusalem to escape the armies of the Chaldeans and the Arameans.’ So we have remained in Jerusalem.”
13“This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the residents of Jerusalem: ‘Will you not accept discipline and obey My words?’ declares the LORD.
14The words of Jonadab son of Rechab have been carried out. He commanded his sons not to drink wine, and they have not drunk it to this very day because they have obeyed the command of their forefather. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you have not obeyed Me!
15Again and again I have sent you all My servants the prophets, proclaiming: ‘Turn now, each of you, from your wicked ways, and correct your actions. Do not go after other gods to serve them. Live in the land that I have given to you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.
17Therefore this is what the LORD God of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will bring to Judah and to all the residents of Jerusalem all the disaster I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them but they have not obeyed, and I have called to them but they have not answered.’”
18Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites: “This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you have obeyed the command of your forefather Jonadab and have kept all his commandments and have done all that he charged you to do,
Jeremiah 35 presents a powerful object lesson in obedience through the example of the Rechabites, a family clan committed to following the commands of their ancestor Jonadab. God instructs Jeremiah to offer wine to this faithful family, knowing they will refuse—not out of legalism, but out of covenant loyalty to their father's teaching. Through their unwavering obedience to human instruction, God establishes a striking contrast with Judah's persistent disobedience to His divine commands, using their faithfulness as a mirror to reveal the nation's stubborn rebellion.
The word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah during the reign of King Jehoiakim, instructing him to visit the Rechabites and invite them to drink wine in the temple. Jeremiah obeys, gathering the entire household—led by Jaazaniah—into a sacred chamber. He then sets wine before them with a simple invitation: "Drink ye wine." The setup appears straightforward, yet God has orchestrated this scenario as a living parable. The temple setting is significant; this is holy ground where the nation should be most responsive to God's will, yet the coming contrast will underscore Judah's spiritual apathy.
The Rechabites' response is decisive and uncompromising: they refuse the wine. Their reason is profound—they are bound by the commandment of Jonadab, their founding ancestor, given generations earlier. Verses 7–10 detail the full scope of this covenant: no wine, no permanent dwellings, no agricultural pursuits. Instead, they live in tents as strangers in the land. Remarkably, they have maintained this lifestyle for centuries. The phrase "we have obeyed" appears repeatedly, emphasizing not grudging compliance but genuine fidelity. Their obedience is multigenerational, consistent, and voluntary—they honor their father's word not through fear alone, but through genuine respect and commitment.
Interestingly, verse 11 shows that even the faithful Rechabites made practical accommodations when Nebuchadnezzar's armies threatened Jerusalem. They temporarily relocated to the city for safety while still maintaining their core convictions about wine and settled dwellings. This detail prevents any misreading: the Rechabites are not portrayed as rigid extremists, but as wise, obedient people who balance principle with prudence. God then speaks to Jeremiah again, preparing him for the lesson that follows.
God's message is devastating in its clarity. Despite sending prophets repeatedly—"rising up early and speaking"—Judah has consistently refused instruction. The people have ignored calls to repentance and continued idolatry. Meanwhile, the Rechabites, mere humans following a human ancestor's command, have proven more faithful than God's own covenant people following His divine word. The contrast is intentional and humiliating. Because Judah has hardened its heart, judgment will fall upon the land and its inhabitants. God has spoken; they have not heard. He has called; they have not answered.
In stark contrast, Jeremiah pronounces blessing upon the Rechabites. Because they obeyed their father's commandment faithfully, "Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever." This promise of perpetual descendants and divine favor rewards their loyalty and serves as a final, shattering indictment against Judah's ingratitude.
Application for Today
This chapter challenges us to examine our own obedience to God's Word. If a family can maintain faithfulness to human instruction across generations, how much more should believers honor God's commands? Our loyalty to Scripture, prayer, and righteous living should exceed the Rechabites' dedication to their earthly father. Jeremiah 35 calls us away from spiritual half-heartedness and toward wholehearted, joyful submission to our heavenly Father's will.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 35
6 sectionsJeremiah 35 presents a powerful object lesson in obedience through the example of the Rechabites, a family clan committed to following the commands of their ancestor Jonadab. God instructs Jeremiah to offer wine to this faithful family, knowing they will refuse—not out of legalism, but out of covenant loyalty to their father's teaching. Through their unwavering obedience to human instruction, God establishes a striking contrast with Judah's persistent disobedience to His divine commands, using their faithfulness as a mirror to reveal the nation's stubborn rebellion.
The word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah during the reign of King Jehoiakim, instructing him to visit the Rechabites and invite them to drink wine in the temple. Jeremiah obeys, gathering the entire household—led by Jaazaniah—into a sacred chamber. He then sets wine before them with a simple invitation: "Drink ye wine." The setup appears straightforward, yet God has orchestrated this scenario as a living parable. The temple setting is significant; this is holy ground where the nation should be most responsive to God's will, yet the coming contrast will underscore Judah's spiritual apathy.
The Rechabites' response is decisive and uncompromising: they refuse the wine. Their reason is profound—they are bound by the commandment of Jonadab, their founding ancestor, given generations earlier. Verses 7–10 detail the full scope of this covenant: no wine, no permanent dwellings, no agricultural pursuits. Instead, they live in tents as strangers in the land. Remarkably, they have maintained this lifestyle for centuries. The phrase "we have obeyed" appears repeatedly, emphasizing not grudging compliance but genuine fidelity. Their obedience is multigenerational, consistent, and voluntary—they honor their father's word not through fear alone, but through genuine respect and commitment.
Interestingly, verse 11 shows that even the faithful Rechabites made practical accommodations when Nebuchadnezzar's armies threatened Jerusalem. They temporarily relocated to the city for safety while still maintaining their core convictions about wine and settled dwellings. This detail prevents any misreading: the Rechabites are not portrayed as rigid extremists, but as wise, obedient people who balance principle with prudence. God then speaks to Jeremiah again, preparing him for the lesson that follows.
God's message is devastating in its clarity. Despite sending prophets repeatedly—"rising up early and speaking"—Judah has consistently refused instruction. The people have ignored calls to repentance and continued idolatry. Meanwhile, the Rechabites, mere humans following a human ancestor's command, have proven more faithful than God's own covenant people following His divine word. The contrast is intentional and humiliating. Because Judah has hardened its heart, judgment will fall upon the land and its inhabitants. God has spoken; they have not heard. He has called; they have not answered.
In stark contrast, Jeremiah pronounces blessing upon the Rechabites. Because they obeyed their father's commandment faithfully, "Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever." This promise of perpetual descendants and divine favor rewards their loyalty and serves as a final, shattering indictment against Judah's ingratitude.
This chapter challenges us to examine our own obedience to God's Word. If a family can maintain faithfulness to human instruction across generations, how much more should believers honor God's commands? Our loyalty to Scripture, prayer, and righteous living should exceed the Rechabites' dedication to their earthly father. Jeremiah 35 calls us away from spiritual half-heartedness and toward wholehearted, joyful submission to our heavenly Father's will.