Jeremiah 35

Jeremiah’s at God’s command gathereth the Rehabites together and inviteth them to drink wine verse1 &c but they refuse to do it because of the prohibition of the Jonadab their father 6by which example God convinceth his disobedient and impenitent people and foretelleth them their destruction 12 but he promiseth his blessing the Rehabites 18.

1. The word which came unto Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jojakim the son of Josiah [see above c 1.3 and 21.1 and 25.1 & 28.1 & 32.1 by comparing of which places which appeareth that in the gathering of these prophesies together there is not always respect had to the order of time compare below chapter 45 on verse1 and Ezekiel 30 on verse 20] king of Judah saying:

2. Go thy ways to the house of Richabites [that is to the family or stock of the Richabites so presently verse 3 see of these 1 Chronicles 2 on verse 55]and speak with them and bring them into the house of the Lord into one of the chambers [which were by the temple see 1 Kings 6 on verse 5] and give them [that is offer them present unto them fill them c] wine to drink.

3. Then I took Jazanja the son of Jeremiah the son of Habazinia together with the brethren and all his sons and the whole house of Rachabite.

4. And brought them into the house of the Lord into the chamber of son of Henan the son of Jegdalia the son of God [that is the prophet see Deuteronomy 33 on verse 1 and Judges 13 on verse 6] which [to wit chamber] is by the chamber of the chief ones [or princes that is rulers meaning of the temple or sanctuary see Isaiah 43:28 as there were priests and Levites and principally the high priest and the next to him such Hebrew words are used both of Ecclesiastical and political functions compare above chapter 20 on verse 1 and 29.26 also Genesis 41 on verse 45 Numbers 3:32 1Corinthians 12.28c] which is above the chamber of the Maaseja son of sallum the keeper of the threshold [these circumstances served to bring more credit and respect unto the thing among the obstinate Jews .]

5. And I set before the children of the house of the Rachabites [Heb before the face of the children &c as Genesis 18.8c] cups [or bowl the Hebrew word agreeth almost with another word which signifieth an high cup bowl or beaker c see Genesis 44 on verse 2 the following words signifieth also beakers or such drinking vessels whose difference is now uncertain]full of wine and beakers and I said unto them drink wine.

6. But they said we will drink no wine [that is may or must drink no wine [for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father [that is forefather] commanded us [or forbad us see Leviticus 4 on verse 2] saying ye shall drink no wine ye nor your children forever [that is never 1 Corinthians 8:13.]

7. Neither shall ye built house nor sow seed nor plant vineyard nor have [that is possess] any but ye shall dwell in tents all your days [that is all the days of your lives so in the next verse]that ye may live many days [that is a long time in the land] where ye sourjon [for as much as many conceive so as Jonadab here mentioned is the same that is mentioned 2Kings 10 15,23 having been a very godly honorable person so that John also desired to strengthen himself in his zeal in his new estate by the company and presence of his man this Jonadab according to the opinion of some wisely considering his pedigree and corruption that were ripe and common in those times peradventure also foreseeing by a prophetical spirit the future judgment and desolation would reach and instruct his posterity by these particular and special commands that they being contented with this mercy and that they were admitted into the fellowship of God & his church should for the time to come demean themselves so refrained humble and lowly or mean as that like strangers in Israel descended from Jethro Moses father-in-law they might not be distasteful or offensive unto the Israelites as strangers are wont soon to give offence also that they should beware that through covetousness or pleasure and delight they might corrupted and punished with others or by professing of good and inheritance fall not into trust and confidence of temporal riches and so be hindered in the time of exile spoiling of goods c what God further aimed by his example of the Richabites appeareth by this whole transaction which Jeremiah by command of him had with them.]

8. Thou have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rachab our father in all that he had charged that we drink wine all our days we our wives our sons and our daughters.

9. And so that we build our houses for our dwellings [or for our abode] neither have we vineyard nor seed nor field.

10. And we have dwelt in tents that have we hearkened and done all according to Jonadab our father hath commanded us.

11. But it came to pass when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babel marched up towards this land that we said [to wit unto each other] come and let us go to Jerusalem because the army of the Chaldeans [Heb from the face &c that is to escape them for fear of their violence and tyranny]and because of the army of the Syrians [Heb Aram see Genesis 10 on verse 22] so we abode at Jerusalem [in this verse they give a reason why in this one thing namely that now did not dwell in the tents but lived in the city of Jerusalem: that at this present followed not their fathers charge shewing thereby that it was a human ordinance which in time of need and as occasion required they might without breach of duty very well wave that they might not transgress the law of God this was also Jonadab’s intention and was pleasing and acceptable unto God.]

12. Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah saying:

13. Thus saith the Lord of host the God of Israel go thy ways and say unto the man [Heb man see above chapter 4 on verse 3]of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem will ye not receive discipline [as above chapter 32.33]that ye hearken unto my words saith the Lord?

14. The words of Jonadab the son of Rachab which he commanded his children that they should drink no wine are confirmed [Heb is confirmed that is everyone of this word is performed or kept not withstanding that they through necessity hath now done otherwise through in one particular point wherein they were to be excused so verse 16 compare further Deuteronomy 29:26 with the annotate and below verse 18 also above chapter 34.18 and below chapter 44.25]for they have drunk none unto this day but have hearkened to [that is obeyed]the commandment of their father and I have spoken unto you being up early and speaking [see above chapter 7 on verse 13 and 2 Chronicles 36 on verse 15]see also above chapter 11.7 and 25.3 and 26.5 and 29.19 and 32.33] but ye have not hearkened unto me .

15. And I have sent you unto all my servants the prophets being up early and sending to say return now every man from his evil way [see Genesis 6 on verse 12 compare above chapter 18 on verse 21 and 25.5]and make your dealings good [see above chapter 7 on verse 3]and walk not after Gods to serve them so shall remain in the land that is so shall ye surely remain dwelling in it see Psalms 37 on verse 3] which I have given to you and to your fathers but ye have not inclined your ear nor hearkened unto me.

16. Because then the children of Jonadab the son of Rachab have confirmed[see above verse 14] the commandments of their fathers which commanded them but this people hearken unto me :

17. Therefore thus saith the Lord the God of hosts the God of Israel behold I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil [of punishment] that I have spoken against them because I have spoken unto them that they have not heard and I have not called unto them but they have not answered.

18. Now Jeremiah saith unto the house of Rachabite thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel because ye have been obedient to the commandment of Jonadab your father and kept all his commandments and done all according to all he hath commanded you.

19. Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts the God of Israel there shall not a man be cut off unto Jonadab the son of Rachab[compare the phrase with above chapter 33.17] to stand before my face [that is unto whom I will shew unto this mercy shall have place in mine house that is among my people or in my church to minister unto me according to my word the phrase seemeth to be taken from the priests and Levits that stood in the Tabernacle and temple to minister before the Lord and consequently in general servants and hand-maids that were to be continually about in the sight of their masters to wait upon them see Deuteronomy 10 on verse 8 also Deuteronomy 1on verse 38 and 1 Kings 1 on verse 2 some understand this plainly of the preservation and continuation of this family of Rachabites amongst the Israel as long as the judicial common wealth should continue by compare above verse 7 of the priestly or Levitical state it can not be meant because they were not of the tribe of Levi yea even no Israelites but strangers as is related above and Gentiles by descent wherefore they are observed by some as a type of the calling of the Gentiles and as a spiritual priesthood of faith]al the days [as above chapter 33.17.]