Thursday, January 30 – Jeremiah 34, 35 – Additional Reading: Prophets and Kings, Chapter 35, “Approaching Doom”
Study Questions:
1. What did Jeremiah prophesy about King Zedekiah? (Jeremiah 34:2-5)
2. How did the Jews in Jeremiah’s time disobey God regarding Hebrew slavery? (Jeremiah 34:14)
3. What were some of the customs of the Rechabites? (Jeremiah 35:8-10)
Commentary and Reflection:
The events in Jeremiah 34 occurred before those described in chapter 32. The prophecy about King Zedekiah being taken captive to Babylon led to his imprisonment (Jeremiah 32:2).
In a desperate attempt to seek God’s favor during the Babylonian siege, Zedekiah commanded the release of all Hebrew slaves. This action aligned with God’s law, which stated that no Israelite should be held as a slave for more than seven years (Exodus 21:2; Deuteronomy 15:12-14).
Initially, the people obeyed. They even formalized this act with a sacred covenant ceremony. However, when the Egyptian army advanced, causing the Babylonians to lift the siege temporarily, the slave owners went back on their promise and re-enslaved their fellow Israelites.
This act was disobedience, and a violation of a sacred covenant made before God. Jeremiah confronted them, warning them of severe judgment for their hypocrisy and breach of faith.
Fear does not bring true transformation. Although fear may temporarily change behavior, once the danger passes, people often return to their old ways.
Some saw the COVID-19 pandemic as a real threat to their lives and a clear sign of the end times, and, frightened, they returned to God, making vows. In many cases, their return and their vows did not last long, and it is possible that their final state was worse than the first.
Genuine transformation comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart. God calls us with love, not fear, and true obedience arises from a heartfelt response to His grace.
Chapter 35 shifts back to the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah. God used the Rechabites as an object lesson to show Judah their unfaithfulness.
The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary explains: “Throughout life the Rechabites were like the Nazirites (see on Num. 6:2–5), a separate people, living apart from cities and refraining from holding property.” Jeremiah 35:6
The Rechabites were not Israelites by blood, but Kenites who had joined Israel and worshiped Yahweh. They were staunchly opposed to idolatry and adhered faithfully to the customs passed down by their ancestor Jonadab, including abstaining from wine, living in tents, and avoiding permanent settlements.
“To illustrate the importance of yielding implicit obedience to the requirements of God, Jeremiah gathered some Rechabites into one of the chambers of the temple and set wine before them, inviting them to drink. As was to have been expected, he met with remonstrance and absolute refusal. ‘We will drink no wine,’ the Rechabites firmly declared, ‘for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons forever.’” PK 423
Through this object lesson, God highlighted the contrast between the Rechabites’ obedience to their ancestor’s commands and Judah’s disobedience to God’s commandments: “Surely the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them, but this people has not obeyed Me.” (Jeremiah 35:16)
The Rechabites’ traditions—living in tents, avoiding agriculture, and abstaining from wine—were not divine commands but family customs. Yet, they were unwaveringly loyal to these traditions. In contrast, Judah, who had received God’s commandments directly, continually rebelled against them.
Because of their faithfulness, God pronounced a blessing upon the Rechabites:
“Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever.” (Jeremiah 35:19)
“Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever.” (Jeremiah 35:19)
May the blessing of the Rechabites—a legacy of faithfulness and obedience—be upon you and your family today.
“Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.” (Ephesians 6:24)
Pastor Abel Paulin