Jeremiah 35: Group Study Handout

Overview

Yahweh instructed Jeremiah to go to the Rechabites and invite them to drink wine in Yahweh's house (vv. 1-2). Jeremiah brought the Rechabites into the temple and set bowls of wine before them (vv. 3-5). They refused to drink, stating that their father, Jonadab, commanded them not to consume wine or settle down by building houses (vv. 6-11).

Key verse

“Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according to all that he commanded you;’ therefore Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jonadab the son of Rechab will not lack a man to stand before me forever.’”

Jeremiah 35:18-19 (WEB)

Outline

1. Jeremiah 35:1–2 God's Command to Jeremiah
2. Jeremiah 35:3–5 Jeremiah Brings the Rechabites
3. Jeremiah 35:6–11 Rechabites Refuse to Drink
4. Jeremiah 35:12–15 Message from Yahweh
5. Jeremiah 35:16–17 Judgment on Judah
6. Jeremiah 35:18–19 Promise to the Rechabites

Discussion questions

1. In v6, why do the Rechabites refuse to drink wine?
2. What commands from Jonadab do the Rechabites mention in vv. 7-8?
3. Yahweh's words in vv. 14-15: why does He compare the Rechabites' obedience to Judah's disobedience?
4. In v19, what does God's promise about Jonadab's descendants imply about fidelity?
5. When has a family tradition influenced a decision you made, as seen in v8?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Jeremiah 35: Jeremiah 7, Jeremiah 25, Exodus 20.

Before next time: read Jeremiah 36.