Jeremiah

Jeremiah 35:1-5

Jerhoiakim was the second son of Josiah.  He was appointed king by Pharaoh Neco and ruled from 609-597B.C.  It was during his reign this oracle took place.  Jeremiah was to go the Rekabite family to invite them to come drink wine.  This had to seem like a strange request to Jeremiah but he'd been called too act out several lessons.  The Rekabites were a nomadic tribe related to the Kennites (1 Chron 2:55; 2 Kings 10:15).  They may have been a traveling craftsmen, metal workers.  It is possible they were chariot makers.

Jaazaniah was apparently the leader of the clan at the time.  They were contacted and the entire family was brought to a room at the temple.  These were rooms where families could meet and eat the sacrifices.  The bowls of wine were set before them and they were  invited to drink.  Any other time this this would be a kind offer and considered hospitable. 

Jeremiah 35:6-11

There would have been an audience to see the Rekabites refuse the wine.  They offered their explanation.  It was Jehonadab, their forefather who set these commands in place.  He appears to be a follower of Yahweh (2 Kings 10:15-23).   The command involved abstaining from:

• Alcohol
• Agriculture
• Permeant housing

This command they were obeying had been in place for around 250 years during Jeremiah's day.  This may have been to keep them separate from society religiously but also it was the kind of life for those making chariots.  Their presence in Jerusalem at this time must have represented an inconsistency to this life.  They explain it as necessary due to the Babylonians being in their land. 

Jeremiah 35:12-19

The Lord used these people as a lesson and invites those listening to learn a lesion from them.  This man commanded his descendants and they obeyed this for many years and still did to that day.  But the Lord notes that He's spoke over and over but He is not obeyed.  Because of this disobedience, the Lord would bring the promised judgment on them.  For this family that obeyed their father, they would never fail to have a descendant serve the Lord.  They become this picture of obedience the Lord sought for His people.  It was a reverence and respect for this forefather.  There was trust that he had their best interest in mind.  Obedience for this family was a sacrifice.  The people the Lord is speaking to over and over don't seem to want to be inconvenienced. 

©2018 Doug Ford