Jer 35:6 But they said, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall drink no wine, you nor your sons, forever. Jer 35:8 “Thus we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,
Jonadab the son of Rechab lived under king Jehu of the northern kingdom. The Rechabites had promised their ancestors that they would never take wine, nor build houses or plant vineyards. They were devout worshippers of Yahweh and had obeyed their founder.
The Lord told Jeremiah to invite them in one of the most private rooms in the temple and offer them wine. The Rechabites declined the offer making it clear that they obeyed their founder. Their steadfast rejection of a sedentary culture and it’s trappings was just the illustration Jeremiah needed to teach obedience to the Lord’s commands .(Holman Study Bible, Nkjv)
God contrasted the Rechabites obedience to a human command with Judah’s disobedience to the living God. Like the Rechabites, if we obey God, we will live for many days in the land. Obedience to God’s laws and statues is of greater value than sacrifices . Isa 1:19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land;
Further readings:
Deu 5:16,33
1Ki 15:5
2Ch 29:2
🙏 Blessed Day 🙏