Jer. 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.

The Rechabites were a clan that descended from Moses’ father-in-law. They stayed away from city life and lived in tents. They had moved into Jerusalem because of their fear of the Babylonian army. God has Jeremiah use them as an object lesson for the leaders of Judah who were not obeying God. These Rechabites were still obeying instructions they had received 300 years before from Jonadab; yet Judah and its leaders refused to obey God’s prophets. 

Jer. 35:7-8 Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers. 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;



Jeremiah brought them into a room of the Temple area; had them sit down at a table; and set pots full of wine and cups. He told them to drink the wine. They refused to drink based on what Jonadab had instructed 300 years before. They had already compromised themselves by moving into a house in Jerusalem. They were being told by a prophet to drink. They were among the elite of the city in a ‘spiritual place’; yet even with all that pressure they refused to drink. God pronounced a blessing upon the Rechabites.

The obedience of the Rechabites to their father Jonadab was a testimony against the Jews who would not obey God their Father. Soon they would face judgment for their disobedience. 

This is a challenge for us to remain steadfastly obedient and faithful to God. Let’s stand firm even when tested. 

1Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Ron Cox - Director of HOPE Ministry