1. Obedience of the Rechabites Jeremiah 35:1-16

2. Ecc 12:14 (ESV) For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. God knows our hearts. He knows things that only we know about ourselves. Because He knows hearts, sometimes He uses them as examples for others to consider. Can you name some?

3. Ecc 12:14 (ESV) For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. God knows our hearts. He knows things that only we know about ourselves. Because He knows hearts, sometimes He uses them as examples for others to consider. Can you name some? - The rich young ruler - The woman at the well - The lady with the alabaster jar - Ananias and Sapphira

4. Job 1:8 (ESV) And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Job In today’s lesson, God used the Rechabites, a nomadic people, to teach a lesson to the inhabitants of Judah.

5. Jer 35:6 (ESV) … “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. 7 You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’ Jonadab was an ancestor of the Rechabites who lived around 250 years earlier. What prohibitions had he commanded his family?

6. Jer 35:6 (ESV) … “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. 7 You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’ Jonadab was an ancestor of the Rechabites who lived around 250 years earlier. What prohibitions had he commanded his family? Why do you think Jonadab had prohibited these things?

7. Jer 35:6 (ESV) … “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. 7 You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’ Why do you think Jonadab had prohibited these things? “Perhaps Jonadab became repulsed and disillusioned by the corruption and immorality he saw in the city life and determined to separate himself and his family from its evil influences.” - FB Huey, Jr, Jeremiah Lamentations (NAC)

8. Jer 35:6 (ESV) … “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. 7 You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’ Do you have family traditions like this?

9. Jer 35:6 (ESV) … “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. 7 You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’ Today’s lesson doesn’t focus on the reasoning behind these instructions but rather their unfailing obedience. The Rechabites kept the decrees of Jonadab for centuries, even when tempted to do otherwise. Their obedience stood in stark contrast to Judah’s unwillingness to obey the instructions of the Lord.

10. Heb 12:9-10 (ESV) Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. The same principle is used in the New Testament to encourage our submission to God. If we’ll obey our human fathers, why won’t we obey our Father in heaven? God desires our obedience, but doesn’t force us into it. The example of the Rechabites shows a willingness to remain faithful. God desires the same dedication from those who will follow Him.

11. Obedience of the Rechabites The Rechabites Seek Safety (Jer 35:1-4) The Ways of the Rechabites (Jer 35:5-11) The Example of the Rechabites (Jer 35:12-16)

12. Jer 35:1-2 (ESV) The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers; then offer them wine to drink.” *

13. Jer 35:3-4 (ESV) So I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah and his brothers and all his sons and the whole house of the Rechabites. 4 I brought them to the house of the Lord into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, the man of God, which was near the chamber of the officials, above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, keeper of the threshold. *

14. Jer 35:5-7 (ESV) Then I set before the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, “Drink wine.” 6 But they answered, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. 7 You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’ *

15. Jer 35:8-10 (ESV) 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, 9 and not to build houses to dwell in. We have no vineyard or field or seed, 10 but we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done all that Jonadab our father commanded us. *

16. Jer 35:11 (ESV) But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against the land, we said, ‘Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and the army of the Syrians.’ So we are living in Jerusalem.” *

17. Jer 35:12-14 (ESV) Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 13 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the Lord. 14 The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. *

18. Jer 35:15-16 (ESV) I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, ‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.’ But you did not incline your ear or listen to me. 16 The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. *

19. Jer 35:17 (ESV) Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered.” *

21. Jer 35:11 (ESV) But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against the land, we said, ‘Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and the army of the Syrians.’ So we are living in Jerusalem.” Why were the nomadic Rechabites in Jerusalem?

22. Jer 35:11 (ESV) But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against the land, we said, ‘Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and the army of the Syrians.’ So we are living in Jerusalem.” Why were the nomadic Rechabites in Jerusalem? The growing threats of Babylonian raids was “enough to make unprotected groups like the tent-dwelling Rechabites seek the protection of the fortified city Jerusalem.” – JA Thompson, The Book of Jeremiah (NICOT)

23. Jer 35:1-2 (ESV) The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers; then offer them wine to drink.” Knowing that the Rechabites were nearby, what did God instruct Jeremiah to do?

24. Jer 35:1-2 (ESV) The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers; then offer them wine to drink.” Knowing that the Rechabites were nearby, what did God instruct Jeremiah to do? Does this strike anyone else as odd?

25. Jer 35:1-2 (ESV) The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers; then offer them wine to drink.” “Jeremiah’s offer to the Rechabites should not be interpreted as placing a stumbling block in front of a weaker brother (Rom 14:13, 21). His actions were not intended to entice these men to sin. God, and likely Jeremiah, knew the Rechabites were committed to rigid rules that included abstaining from wine. This directive was given to God through Jeremiah in order that the loyalty and obedience of the Rechabites might be vividly portrayed.” - Dayton Keesee, Truth for Today Commentary

26. Jer 35:1-2 (ESV) The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah: 2 “Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers; then offer them wine to drink.” God was not instructing Jeremiah to entice the Rechabites to sin, He was, instead, testing their resolve.

27. Jer 35:3-4 (ESV) So I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah and his brothers and all his sons and the whole house of the Rechabites. 4 I brought them to the house of the Lord into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, the man of God, which was near the chamber of the officials, above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, keeper of the threshold. *

28. Jer 35:5 (ESV) Then I set before the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, “Drink wine.” “This is likely wine that had been brought to the temple as part of the tithe-offerings of the people, offerings which represent the abundance the Lord has provided and their gratitude for it. It would have served as part of the supplies which the priests themselves would enjoy or would distribute among the needy members of society.” - Timothy Willis, The College Press NIV Commentary

29. Jer 35:6-10 (ESV) But they answered, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. 7 You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’ 8 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, 9 and not to build houses to dwell in. We have no vineyard or field or seed, 10 but we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done all that Jonadab our father commanded us. What was the response of the Rechabites when offered the wine?

30. Jer 35:6 (ESV) But they answered, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us … Jonadab lived during the days of King Jehu and helped eradicate the worship of Baal at that time. 2 Kings 10:23=27 (ESV) Then Jehu went into the house of Baal with Jehonadab the son of Rechab, and he said to the worshipers of Baal, “Search, and see that there is no servant of the Lord here among you, but only the worshipers of Baal. …So when they put them to the sword, the guard and the officers cast them out and went into the inner room of the house of Baal, 26 and they brought out the pillar that was in the house of Baal and burned it. 27 And they demolished the pillar of Baal, and demolished the house of Baal, and made it a latrine to this day.

31. Jer 35:6 (ESV) But they answered, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us … “When Israel settled in Canaan and began to live the sedentary life and to practice agriculture they encountered the Canaanite culture and religion; increasingly they were drawn to the fertility-god Baal, to whom the Canaanites turned to bless their crops and flocks, and were tempted to accept the religion of Canaan.” - JA Thompson, The Book of Jeremiah (NICOT) If the sedentary lifestyle was rejected, perhaps the pull to worship Baal might be averted too.

32. Jer 35:6 (ESV) But they answered, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us … Could the Rechabites have justified drinking the wine on this occasion?

33. Jer 35:12-14 (ESV) Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 13 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the Lord. 14 The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. How did God instruct Jeremiah to use the Rechabites faithfulness to teach the people of Judah?

34. Jer 35:12-14 (ESV) Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: 13 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the Lord. 14 The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. How did God instruct Jeremiah to use the Rechabites faithfulness to teach the people of Judah? Would their example have convicted you to be faithful to God’s instructions?

35. Jer 35:15-16 (ESV) I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, ‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.’ But you did not incline your ear or listen to me. 16 The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. *

36. Jer 35:17 (ESV) Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered.” *

37. God did not merely state truths to His people. He illustrated them
God did not merely state truths to His people. He illustrated them. Using the Rechabites as an example, He showed what true obedience looks like. Without forcing the Rechabites to violate their values, God allowed them the opportunity to drink wine in the temple. When they refused, He lauded their example to His obedient people. His point was simple: If the Rechabites could be obedient to Jonadab’s command, His people should be able to do the same.

38. The dedication of the Rechabites is truly commendable
The dedication of the Rechabites is truly commendable. Whether one argues they behaved as they did out of religious conviction, it is not possible to deny their dedication. They lived in a way that caused them to be separate from others in the world. Although this is not the main point of Jeremiah 35, we would do well to consider the merits of this approach. They avoided things that were associated with the sinful worship of Baal. What if we abstained from things that cause us to be associated with the sinful practices of the world?

39. The Price of Being a Prophet Jeremiah 38:2-13, 17-20