Jeremiah 35:13, commentary and pictures

The Lord commissioned Jeremiah to go to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem and confront them with the searching question whether they would not receive instruction by hearkening to His words. The example held up before them was the Rechabites, who to that day kept the command of Jonadab son of Rechab not to drink wine, obeying their father's commandment. Their constancy was fully proved in doing only what they were able to perform.

Their faithful obedience to a human father's command taught by contrast that Judah should all the more have heeded God's commands, words, and instruction, including the reproofs and warnings He repeatedly sent through His prophets. Judah's refusal to listen exposed aggravated disobedience, rebellion, unfaithfulness, and an unrighteous course in contrast with the obedience and faithfulness of the sons of Rechab. Yet God had spoken persistently, rising early and speaking, and had sent all His servants the prophets, rising up early and earnestly, to call every man to return from his evil way and amend his doings and not go after other gods, with promise of dwelling in the land given to them and their fathers.

That refusal to listen brought the judgments God had warned about, whereas heeding His words was the path to continued care and blessing, including dwelling in the land. The same appeal is directed to God's people in the last days, who have had great light and every evidence of truth yet turn away from the light to follow their own impulses and ideas. Their course repeats the mistakes and sins of God's early people, disregards the instruction God gave in the record of His people in early days, and fails to heed warnings and admonitions. Notwithstanding warnings they do not see their danger but join the ranks of the enemy and fight on his side, by which course the Lord is greatly dishonored and He is removing His Spirit from them, and He will judge them for these things unless they repent.