What does Jeremiah 35:18 mean?
"¶ And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:" - Jeremiah 35:18
"The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment: notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye hearkened not unto me."
The verse Jeremiah 35:18 speaks about the obedience of the descendants of Jonadab the son of Rechab to the command their father gave them concerning abstinence from wine. This passage is part of a larger narrative in the book of Jeremiah, which recounts the events during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah, around the time of the Babylonian conquest.
The story of the Rechabites is an example of obedience and faithfulness to the father's commandments. It is set against the backdrop of the disobedience and unfaithfulness of the people of Judah towards God, as represented by the prophet Jeremiah's messages to them. This contrast serves to highlight the value of obedience and faithfulness, especially in the face of societal pressures and temptations.
The Rechabites were a nomadic tribe, who had been instructed by their ancestor Jonadab not to drink wine, build houses, sow seed, or plant vineyards, but to live in tents all their days (Jeremiah 35:6-7). They were to adhere to this way of life in order to maintain their integrity and fidelity to their heritage. Despite the temptations and pressures of their surroundings, the Rechabites remained steadfast in their obedience to their father's command, as mentioned in verse 18. This unwavering commitment to their family's tradition and values is deeply respected by God, as indicated by His acknowledgment of their faithfulness through the prophet Jeremiah.
The context of this passage makes it clear that the obedience of the Rechabites stands in stark contrast to the disobedience and faithlessness of the people of Judah. The Rechabites serve as a shining example of loyalty and dedication to their father's command, while the people of Judah are rebuked for their refusal to listen and heed the message of the Lord.
The theme of obedience and faithfulness to God's commandments is central to this passage. The Rechabites' unwavering commitment to their father's word mirrors the kind of loyalty and obedience that God desires from His people. Their actions are a demonstration of reverence and honor for their family's heritage, and by extension, a representation of the importance of obeying and respecting God's commandments.
This passage also serves as a warning to the people of Judah about the consequences of disobedience and unfaithfulness. Despite God's persistent efforts to communicate His message through His prophets, the people continued to reject His word. The contrast between the Rechabites' obedience and the people of Judah's disobedience serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of remaining faithful to God's will.
Symbolically, the Rechabites represent a model of obedience and faithfulness, illustrating the importance of honoring and obeying ancestral traditions and, by extension, God's commandments. Their commitment to their father's command symbolizes the steadfastness and resoluteness that God expects from His people.
In conclusion, Jeremiah 35:18 is a poignant reminder of the value of obedience and faithfulness to God's commandments. The story of the Rechabites serves as an example of unwavering dedication to their father's word, and by extension, God's word. It also stands as a warning to those who choose to disobey and disregard the message of the Lord. The themes of obedience, faithfulness, and the consequences of disobedience are powerfully conveyed through the narrative of the Rechabites, making this passage a timeless and significant lesson for all believers.
Have questions about Jeremiah 35:18?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Jeremiah 35:18 Artwork
Jeremiah 35:18 - "¶ And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:"
"¶ And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:" - Jeremiah 35:18
Jeremiah 35:12 - "¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,"
"¶ Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying," - Jeremiah 35:12
Jeremiah 35:1 - "The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying,"
Jeremiah 35:3 - "Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites;"
Exodus 35:18 - "The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords,"
Jeremiah 25:35 - "And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape."
Jeremiah 49:35 - "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might."
Jeremiah 18:1 - "The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,"
1 Kings 18:35 - "And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water."
Jeremiah 35:9 - "Nor to build houses for us to dwell in: neither have we vineyard, nor field, nor seed:"
Jeremiah 35:10 - "But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us."
"The pins of the tabernacle, and the pins of the court, and their cords," - Exodus 35:18
Psalms 35:18 - "I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people."
Jeremiah 32:18
Jeremiah 23:18
Jeremiah 50:35 - "¶ A sword is upon the Chaldeans, saith the LORD, and upon the inhabitants of Babylon, and upon her princes, and upon her wise men."
Jeremiah 48:35 - "Moreover I will cause to cease in Moab, saith the LORD, him that offereth in the high places, and him that burneth incense to his gods."
Jeremiah 35:19 - "Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever."
Jeremiah 35:5 - "And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full of wine, and cups, and I said unto them, Drink ye wine."
Jeremiah 35:2 - "Go unto the house of the Rechabites, and speak unto them, and bring them into the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink."
Luke 18:35 - "¶ And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:"
Jeremiah 35:16 - "Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:"
"The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, saying," - Jeremiah 35:1
Jeremiah 18:5 - "Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,"
Jeremiah 51:35 - "The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say."
"Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habaziniah, and his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites;" - Jeremiah 35:3
Jeremiah 35:13 - "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD."
2 Chronicles 35:25 - "¶ And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations."