Jeremiah 35 18

Jeremiah 35:18 kjv

And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you:

Jeremiah 35:18 nkjv

And Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts and done according to all that he commanded you,

Jeremiah 35:18 niv

Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Rekabites, "This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jehonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.'

Jeremiah 35:18 esv

But to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father and kept all his precepts and done all that he commanded you,

Jeremiah 35:18 nlt

Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, "This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says: 'You have obeyed your ancestor Jehonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.'

Jeremiah 35 verses

Jeremiah 35 18 Meaning

This verse declares that the descendants of Jonadab, son of Rechab, will perpetually have a representative standing before the Lord. This signifies a lasting presence and unbroken lineage in God's service and recognition.

Jeremiah 35 18 Context

Jeremiah 35 recounts a test given to the Rechabites by the prophet Jeremiah at God's command. God instructed Jeremiah to set goblets of wine before the Rechabites and urge them to drink. The Rechabites refused, adhering to the command of their ancestor Jonadab, son of Rechab, not to drink wine, build houses, sow seeds, or plant vineyards. They explained that they lived in tents and obeyed all of Jonadab's statutes. Jeremiah then contrasts their faithfulness to their ancestor's command with the people of Judah's disobedience to God's commands, highlighting Judah's apostasy despite repeated warnings.

This verse (35:19) is the Lord's affirmation of the Rechabites' obedience. It serves as a powerful statement of God's recognition and blessing upon faithfulness, even in seemingly minor matters, when it stems from genuine obedience to principles and commands. The verse implicitly critiques Judah by presenting a positive example of generational fidelity to a human command, in stark contrast to Judah's generational disobedience to divine law.

Jeremiah 35 18 Word Analysis

• And Jehovah spoke unto Jeremiah:

  • "And": Conjunction linking this action to the preceding narrative.
  • "Jehovah" (Hebrew: יהוה, YHWH): The personal covenant name of God. The use here emphasizes God as the speaker and author of the message, the covenant God with Israel.
  • "spoke": Past tense verb indicating a direct communication.
  • "unto Jeremiah": Indicates the recipient of God's direct command and message. Jeremiah is the prophet, the intermediary.

• saying: Introduces the content of God's speech.

• Thus says Jehovah of hosts:

  • "Thus says": A standard prophetic formula introducing divine pronouncements. It asserts the divine authority and origin of the words that follow.
  • "Jehovah of hosts" (Hebrew: יהוה צבאות, YHWH Tsebaoth): A title for God emphasizing His supreme power and command over all the armies of heaven (angels) and earth. It signifies His omnipotence and sovereign authority, especially in judgment and victory.

• the God of Israel:

  • "the God": Specifies God's identity.
  • "of Israel": Asserts His covenant relationship with the nation of Israel. He is their God, who made promises to them.

• Jonadab the son of Rechab:

  • "Jonadab": The ancestor. His obedience is the point of reference.
  • "son of": Indicates lineage.
  • "Rechab": Jonadab's father. The entire family line is traced through him.

• shall not be cut off from me:

  • "shall not be cut off": Future negative, indicating perpetual existence and a guaranteed continuance. "Cut off" implies annihilation or separation from God's presence or covenant blessings.
  • "from me": Emphasizes the relationship being preserved is directly with Jehovah. It signifies continuous access to and standing before God.

• a man to stand before me:

  • "a man": Singular, but representing the lineage. It implies one individual representative at any given time, signifying the continuity of the line's connection.
  • "to stand": Verb in the infinitive indicating purpose or state. It speaks of being present, ministering, or having acceptance.
  • "before me": Denotes proximity and access to God's presence, similar to the standing of priests or chosen servants in God's sight. This implies service, intercession, or simply a recognized, enduring place within God's purposes.

• for all days:

  • "for all days": An idiom for perpetuity, eternity, throughout all time.

Jeremiah 35 18 Bonus Section

The Rechabites’ strict adherence to their ancestor Jonadab's commands is often contrasted with the people of Judah's failure to obey God’s commands, particularly concerning idolatry and ethical conduct. This specific promise is conditional upon the Rechabites' continued obedience. It emphasizes that covenant faithfulness, demonstrated through consistent obedience, ensures a lasting heritage and presence before God. Theologically, this finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly obeyed His Father and, as our Great High Priest, perpetually stands before God on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25). The believers, as the spiritual Israel, also stand before God through Christ (Romans 8:34, 1 Peter 2:5). The verse showcases God’s delight in obedient hearts that reflect a consistent walk of faith across generations.

Jeremiah 35 18 Commentary

This promise to the Rechabites is a remarkable affirmation of God's reward for unwavering faithfulness to divine principles, even when filtered through human instruction. Jonadab's injunctions were about separation from idolatry and a life of nomadic simplicity, a counter-cultural stance. The Rechabites' meticulous obedience, even when the nation of Judah was plunging into idolatry and apostasy, secured them a perpetual place in God's favor. This highlights that obedience to God is demonstrated even in how we respond to foundational family or ancestral principles that align with God's will. The promise of "a man to stand before me" speaks to an enduring testimony and presence, ensuring that the legacy of their obedience would be remembered and acknowledged by God. It signifies an unbroken lineage that remains recognized in the divine economy, possibly referencing their descendants continuing in service or faithfulness, and echoing the greater promise of an eternal priesthood in Christ who always stands before God for us.