Jeremiah 35

The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying,

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 1. Joakim, when Nabuchodonosor besieged him again in his 7th year. The Rechabites then pitched their tents in Jerusalem. verse 11. Calmet.—Here we behold a figure of religious orders in the Church, as well as in the Nazarites and disciples of the prophets. Numbers 6 and 4 Kennicott. 1. They observed certain rules for acquiring greater perfection, and refrained from many things which were otherwise lawful. Thus various religious orders, both of men and of women, have flourished in the Church, and though they have different names and regulations, yet they are not sects, as heretics would pretend, but all follow the same faith, use the same sacraments, and are a great ornament to the Catholic Church by their profession of the three essential vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, in imitation of the apostles. Matthew 19:12.—Joakim. This happened before the preceding prophecies. Worthington.

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2

“Go to the house of the Rechabites, and speak to them, and bring them into the LORD’s house, into one of the rooms, and give them wine to drink.”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 2. Rechabites. These were of the race of Jethro, father-in-law to Moses. Challoner.—All the Hebrew and Latin doctors agree that the Rechabites were strangers. verse 7. 19. Worthington.—Treasures of corn, wine, and so forth Jeremias, as a priest, had free access.

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3

Then I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, the son of Habazziniah, with his brothers, all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites;

4

and I brought them into the LORD’s house, into the room of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, the man of God, which was by the room of the princes, which was above the room of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the threshold.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 4. Of God. Prophets are generally thus designated. 4 Kennicott. 4:7. We know nothing more of this holy man.—Princes of the priests; or where princes made their offerings, or assembled to judge. Calmet. 26:10.—Entry. He was not removeable like the other Levites. 1 Chronicles 9:19. 34. Calmet.

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5

I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites bowls full of wine, and cups; and I said to them, “Drink wine!”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 5. Wine. This was not an exhortation, but a trial. Bible.

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6

But they said, “We will drink no wine; for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall drink no wine, neither you nor your children, forever.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 6. Jonadab. A man much esteemed by Jehu. 4 Kennicott. 10:15. Worthington.

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7

You shall not build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard, or have any; but all your days you shall dwell in tents, that you may live many days in the land in which you live as nomads.’

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 7. Days. The reward of dutiful children. Exodus 20:12. These are models of those Christians who follow the rule of some virtuous person, in order to be at a greater distance from any transgression of the law, and to observe it with more perfection. Calmet.—“If a father could lay such an injunction on his descendants, and they receive commendation for observing it, why may not the fathers of the Church enjoin things which are not of themselves necessary, but … useful to avoid the occasions of evil, or to advance in virtue?” says Grotius, a Protestant, after S. Jerom, (ad Paulin.) Saint Augustine in Ps. lxx. and so forth Bible. Jonadab exhorted, and prescribed this rule, but it was not properly a command, being too arduous. Tirinus.

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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, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters;

9

and not to build houses for ourselves to dwell in. We have no vineyard, field, or seed;

10

but we have lived in tents, and have obeyed, and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.

11

But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, we said, ‘Come! Let’s go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans, and for fear of the army of the Syrians; so we will dwell at Jerusalem.’”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 11. Syria. 4 Kennicott. 24:2. The mention of these shews that this was the second siege, when Joakim was slain, and many led into captivity, (Calmet. 52:28) with these Rechabites. Calmet.—They lived under tents, but in case of necessity entered the city. verse 10. If they observe works of supererogation, all must surely keep God’s law. Worthington.

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12

Then the LORD’s word came to Jeremiah, saying,

13

“The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Will you not receive instruction to listen to my words?” says the LORD.

14

“The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab that he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; and to this day they drink none, for they obey their father’s commandment; but I have spoken to you, rising up early and speaking, and you have not listened to me.

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 14. Me. What a contrast! Bible.—This was only a counsel, mine a law! Tirinus.

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15

I have sent also to you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Every one of you must return now from his evil way, amend your doings, and don’t go after other gods to serve them. Then you will dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers;’ but you have not inclined your ear, nor listened to me.

16

The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to me.”’

17

“Therefore the LORD, the God of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them, but they have not heard; and I have called to them, but they have not answered.’”

18

Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according to all that he commanded you,’

19

therefore the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jonadab the son of Rechab will not lack a man to stand before me forever.’”

ExplanationCommentary

EXPLANATION

Verse 19. Before me, in an honourable situation (1 Chronicles 2:55) about the temple. It was not requisite that they should be Levites. Calmet.—For ever. Their reward shall be eternal bliss. Bible.—This they sought for, as they were strangers of Madian in the country. verse 7. Menochius.

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