Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Jeremiah Ch.35 / 52 Ch.s
JER:35
* The obedience of the Rechabites. (1-11) The Jews' disobedience
to the Lord. (12-19)
#1-11 Jonadab was famous for wisdom and piety. He lived nearly
300 years before, #2Ki 10:15|. Jonadab charged his posterity not
to drink wine. He also appointed them to dwell in tents, or
movable dwelling: this would teach them not to think of settling
any where in this world. To keep low, would be the way to
continue long in the land where they were strangers. Humility
and contentment are always the best policy, and men's surest
protection. Also, that they might not run into unlawful
pleasures, they were to deny themselves even lawful delights.
The consideration that we are strangers and pilgrims should
oblige us to abstain from all fleshly lusts. Let them have
little to lose, and then losing times would be the less
dreadful: let them sit loose to what they had, and then they
might with less pain be stript of it. Those are in the best
frame to meet sufferings who live a life of self-denial, and who
despise the vanities of the world. Jonadab's posterity observed
these rules strictly, only using proper means for their safety
in a time of general suffering.
#12-19 The trial of the Rechabites' constancy was for a sign; it
made the disobedience of the Jews to God the more marked. The
Rechabites were obedient to one who was but a man like
themselves, and Jonadab never did for his seed what God has done
for his people. Mercy is promised to the Rechabites. We are not
told respecting the performance of this promise; but doubtless
it was performed, and travellers say the Rechabites may be found
a separate people to this day. Let us follow the counsels of our
pious forefathers, and we shall find good in so doing.