The Rechabites respond to Jeremiah by saying, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commands us, You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever.
They also affirm the command to never build houses or plant vineyards and to live in tents all your days.
The reason given for these commands is so that they may live many days in the land where you sojourn.
They would be resident aliens in the land. They would not have the rights of citizens, but through the goodwill of the citizens they would enjoy God’s blessings1. The Rechabites say to Jeremiah, We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab our father in all that he commanded us.
The Hebrew word sama, translated as obeyed,
occurs throughout this narrative in Jeremiah 35:10,Jeremiah 35:13,Jeremiah 35:14, Jeremiah 35:15,Jeremiah 35:16, Jeremiah 35:17, Jeremiah 35:18. It is a key word in the passage and means to hear
and to therefore pay attention.
It implies a listening that leads to obedience2. The narrative makes it clear that they did not compromise their obedience to their founding father. The only reason they came into Jerusalem is because of the threat of Nebuchadnezzar; they came seeking safety not permanent residence. The Rechabite’s obedience stands in stark contrast to the disobedience of the people of Jerusalem in Jeremiah 34:1–22.
6 Mais ils répondirent: Nous ne buvons pas de vin; car Jonadab, fils de Récab, notre père, nous a donné cet ordre: Vous ne boirez jamais de vin, ni vous, ni vos fils;