Jeremiah 35:8-10
We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, ourselves, our wives, our sons, or our daughters, and not to build houses to dwell in. We have no vineyard or field or seed, but we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The Rechabites' obedience isn't just about following a rule, but about embracing it as a way of life for the entire family, from parents to children. This wasn't a casual suggestion but a deeply ingrained legacy they held onto faithfully, demonstrating a commitment to their father's legacy that starkly contrasted with Israel's wavering loyalty to God.
The prophet Jeremiah is presenting the Rechabites to the people of Judah as an example of unwavering obedience. He brings them into the temple and offers them wine, which they refuse, explaining that they strictly follow the commands of their ancestor Jonadab, who forbade them from drinking wine, building houses, or owning fields. This deep-seated, generational obedience starkly contrasts with Judah's disobedience to God, even when faced with the threat of invasion.
Imagine a family pact passed down for centuries! The Rechabites honored a directive from a man long dead. What makes such obedience possible?
A Legacy of Purpose
Jonadab the son of Rechab wasn't just an ancestor; he was the founder of a distinct way of life for his family. His vision was radical: a life of abstinence from wine, living in tents, and avoiding permanent homes, fields, and seeds. This wasn't just about personal preference; it was a deliberate strategy.
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The Rechabites' claim, 'Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab our father,' highlights a profound commitment to a founder's vision, passed down through generations.
When faced with invasion and the threat of destruction, would you compromise your deepest commitments? The Rechabites faced this very test.
Tested, Not Twisted
The Rechabites' obedience was not just a matter of habit; it was tested under extreme pressure. When the armies of Babylon (Chaldeans and Syrians) threatened Judah, they fled to Jerusalem for safety. This act, by human standards, might seem like a compromise of their nomadic, tent-dwelling lifestyle.
It's one thing to commit personally, but what about your entire family? The Rechabites brought everyone along.
A Unified Front
The Rechabites' obedience was comprehensive and included every member of the family. Their statement, 'we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters,' emphasizes a complete and collective adherence to Jonadab's commands.
Understand the original words
shama · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the act of following instructions or mandates issued by a superior, God, or an ancestor; it encompasses both the attitude of submission and the outward action of compliance.
The Rechabites' unwavering obedience to their ancestor's commands, even during a terrifying invasion and siege, stands in stark contrast to Judah's disobedience to God. Their commitment highlights how loyalty to a mortal, albeit wise, leader could surpass the people's commitment to their divine King.
c. 850 BC
Jonadab Institutes Rechabite Vows
Jonadab, son of Rechab, founder of the movement, institutes strict vows for his descendants, forbidding wine and demanding a nomadic lifestyle in tents.
c. 628 BC
Jehoiakim Becomes King of Judah
The prophet Jeremiah receives his call from the Lord during the reign of Jehoiakim, a king known for his wickedness.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, deports elite Judeans, including Daniel, to Babylon, signaling increasing foreign influence and impending doom.
c. 601 BC— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar Invades Judah
Nebuchadnezzar leads his armies against Judah, prompting many, including the Rechabites, to flee from rural areas into the fortified city of Jerusalem for safety.
c. 587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction
Babylonian forces finally conquer Jerusalem, destroy the Temple, and exile the majority of the population, marking the end of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
This passage highlights the importance of obedience to God over mere ritual, drawing a strong parallel to the Rechabites' unwavering obedience to Jonadab's command, even when Israel's obedience was flawed.
Luke 11:28Jesus states that those who hear God's word and keep it are blessed, underscoring the value and commendation found in the Rechabites' strict adherence to their father's command.
Proverbs 23:20-21This proverb warns against excessive drinking and gluttony, providing a glimpse into the potential wisdom behind Jonadab's command to abstain from wine, which the Rechabites faithfully followed.
Hebrews 11:13-16This passage speaks of Old Testament figures who acknowledged themselves as strangers and pilgrims on earth, living by faith and looking for a heavenly country, mirroring the nomadic, tent-dwelling lifestyle commanded by Jonadab.
barnesJeremiah 35:8: "Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;"
Our father - Not merely our ancestor, but the founder of our institutions.
calvinJeremiah 35:8-10: "Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters;"
Et audivimus in voce (hoc est, obedivimus voci) Jenadab, filii Rechab, patris nostri, secundum omnia qute mandavit nobis, ne biberemus vinum cunctus diebus nostris, nos, uxores nostrae, filii nostri, et filiae nostrae;
Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field,…
The Rechabites' obedience isn't just about following a rule, but about embracing it as a way of life for the entire family, from parents to children. This wasn't a casual suggestion but a deeply ingrained legacy they held onto faithfully, demonstrating a commitment to their father's legacy that starkly contrasted with Israel's wavering loyalty to God.
The prophet Jeremiah is presenting the Rechabites to the people of Judah as an example of unwavering obedience. He brings them into the temple and offers them wine, which they refuse, explaining that they strictly follow the commands of their ancestor Jonadab, who forbade them from drinking wine, building houses, or owning fields. This deep-seated, generational obedience starkly contrasts with Judah's disobedience to God, even when faced with the threat of invasion.
The prophet Jeremiah is presenting the Rechabites to the people of Judah as an example of unwavering obedience. He brings them into the temple and offers them wine, which they refuse, explaining that they strictly follow the commands of their ancestor Jonadab, who forbade them from drinking wine, building houses, or owning fields. This deep-seated, generational obedience starkly contrasts with Judah's disobedience to God, even when faced with the threat of invasion.
"We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, ourselves, our wives, our sons, or our daughters, and not to build houses to dwell in. We have no vineyard or fi…" — The Rechabites' obedience isn't just about following a rule, but about embracing it as a way of life for the entire family, from parents to children. This wasn't a casual suggestion but a deepl…
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