Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying,
The coming of the word of the Lord to Jeremiah introduces God's message to the prophet. It came as God's response after the Rechabites refused the wine that Jeremiah had set before them. By it God directed Jeremiah to speak to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, calling them to heed divine instruction and to learn the lesson of the Rechabites' obedience.
The message sets the Rechabites' faithfulness in keeping their father Jonadab's command not to drink wine against Judah's refusal to heed God's words, warnings, prophets, and repeated calls to turn from evil and obey. God's warnings, instructions, and calls to turn from evil and obey had been given again and again. Against that background the contrast exposes Judah's refusal as aggravated disobedience. It teaches that disregard for divine reproof brings judgment, and that Judah was facing judgment for refusing to heed, while obedience is met with blessing.
The coming of the word of the Lord to Jeremiah introduces God's message to the prophet. It came as God's response after the Rechabites refused the wine that Jeremiah had set before them. By it God directed Jeremiah to speak to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, calling them to heed divine instruction and to learn the lesson of the Rechabites' obedience.
The message sets the Rechabites' faithfulness in keeping their father Jonadab's command not to drink wine against Judah's refusal to heed God's words, warnings, prophets, and repeated calls to turn from evil and obey. God's warnings, instructions, and calls to turn from evil and obey had been given again and again. Against that background the contrast exposes Judah's refusal as aggravated disobedience. It teaches that disregard for divine reproof brings judgment, and that Judah was facing judgment for refusing to heed, while obedience is met with blessing.