Jeremiah 35:7
Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers. Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.
Jeremiah 35:7 records the command of Jonadab the son of Rechab to his children and descendants to build no houses, sow no seed, and plant and own no vineyards, but to dwell in tents all their days as strangers in the land so that they might live many days there. It was wise, special parental instruction meant to guard the family against evils that would make it difficult and even impossible to carry on the work God had specified for them to do, with protection especially against intemperance. Living by it meant frugality and temperance in all things and simplicity of manner, a far better portion in this life than the ways of the world.
The command was obeyed strictly across generations, showing the respect due to a father's authority. The people met in Yemen are children of Rechab who still kept these practices of living in tents without building houses, sowing seed, or planting vineyards, and who remembered Jonadab.
God commended their obedience, and it stands in contrast to Judah and the Jews who, despite special light and privileges and God's words and warnings, refused to obey God. Their example teaches that obedience to rightful instruction brings blessing, while disregarding God's counsel and reproof leads to ruin, for God's authority is even greater than a father's, and his people remain secure only through his mercy and care.