Jeremiah 35:16

16 'Indeed, the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have ¹observed the command of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to Me.' "'

Jeremiah 35:16 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 35:16

Because the son of Jonadab the son of Rechab
Here we have the contrast between the Rechabites and the Israelites; the obedience of the one, and the disobedience of the other; the design of which is to aggravate and expose the sin of the Jews, since the former have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded
them;
that particular commandment of not drinking wine, which they had never once violated in such a course of time; nor could they now be prevailed upon, even by the prophet himself, to do it: but this people hath not hearkened unto me;
the Lord their God, their father that bought them, made them, and established them. Gross ingratitude! ( Deuteronomy 32:6 ) .

Jeremiah 35:16 In-Context

14 "The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are observed. So they do not drink wine to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. But I have spoken to you again and again; yet you have not listened to Me.

15 "Also I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, sending them again and again, saying: 'Turn now every man from his evil way and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to worship them. Then you will dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your forefathers; but you have not inclined your ear or listened to Me.

16 'Indeed, the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have observed the command of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to Me.' "'

17 "Therefore thus says the LORD , the God of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I am bringing on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them; because I spoke to them but they did not listen, and I have called them but they did not answer.' "

18 Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, 'Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father, kept all his commands and done according to all that he commanded you;

Cross References

• 1. Jeremiah 35:14; Malachi 1:6