Jeremiah

Jeremiah 35: The LORD calls us to listen

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the Rechabites and the people who would not listen, let us come before the LORD in prayer. Ask Him to open our ears to His voice, to bless our family as we listen, and to show us Jesus, the faithful Son who always listened to the Father.

For he is our God. We are the people of his pasture, and the sheep in his care. Today, oh that you would hear his voice!

Psalms 95:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You call Your people to listen, and help us to hear Your voice. Show us Jesus, the faithful Son, and help us to turn from our sin and trust Him. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Jeremiah brings the Rechabite family into one of the rooms of the LORD’s house and sets bowls of wine before them (verses 1 to 5). They refuse to drink, because Jonadab their father commanded them never to drink wine, build houses or plant vineyards (verses 6 and 7). They lived in tents and kept their father’s command, and they moved to Jerusalem only when the Chaldean army came (verses 8 to 11). The LORD says the Rechabites have kept their father’s command, but Judah has not listened to Him (verses 12 to 16). The LORD says He sent His prophets again and again, rising early, to call Judah to turn from evil (verses 14 and 15). Because Judah would not listen, the LORD will bring on them all the evil He spoke against them (verse 17). To the family of Jonadab, the LORD promises that they will never lack a man to stand before Him forever (verses 18 and 19).

As you read Jeremiah 35, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD speaks again and again, and He calls His people to listen to Him.

The Rechabites were the family of Jonadab, who told his sons to live in tents and drink no wine (verses 6 and 7). Jeremiah sets wine before them in the LORD’s house, and their refusal shows how faithfully they honor their father’s word (verse 5). Their faithfulness to a father shames Judah, who did not listen to the LORD though He spoke often (verses 14 and 15). The Rechabites are praised for obeying, but no one is made right with God by keeping rules. The LORD does not say they earned His favor, but He promises that Jonadab’s family will stand before Him forever (verse 19). Jesus is the faithful Son who always did what the Father said, and He lives forever to plead for His people. His perfect obedience is given to all who trust Him.

How does Jeremiah 35 show us that the LORD speaks again and again, and calls His people to listen to Him?

The LORD speaks again and again.

The LORD sent His prophets early and often to call Judah back from evil (verses 14 and 15). He asked, “Will you not receive instruction to listen to my words?” (verse 13). Judah did not hear, and the LORD’s warning stands (verse 17).

The Rechabites listened to their father.

Jonadab’s family obeyed his command for generations, and the LORD commends them (verses 18 and 19). Their faithfulness shows how Judah failed. The LORD praised them, but He never says they earned His favor (verse 19).

Judah would not listen to the LORD.

The Rechabites obeyed a man for generations, but Judah ignored the LORD who spoke again and again (verses 14 and 16). Because they would not listen, the LORD said all the evil He spoke would come on them (verse 17). Jesus always did what the Father said, and He gives His righteousness to those who trust Him.

Memorize

The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father which he commanded them, but this people has not listened to me.

Jeremiah 35:16

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I hear the LORD’s call and trust Jesus, who always obeyed His Father?

The Rechabites kept their father’s command for generations, and the LORD praised them for it (verses 18 and 19). Judah had heard the LORD’s word again and again, yet they would not listen (verses 14 and 15). The contrast shows us how hard our own hearts can be.

Our hearts are like Judah’s, and we have not listened as we should. No one can earn God’s favor by keeping a rule, because even our best obedience is mixed with sin. Jesus is the faithful Son who always did what the Father said. He kept the law perfectly, went to the cross, bore the punishment our sin deserved, and rose again on the third day. His work is finished, and no one can add to it. His perfect obedience is given to all who trust Him.

So come to Jesus, and do not trust in your own good works. Turn from your sin, and trust the faithful Son who did everything the Father asked. Every sinner who comes to Him is counted righteous, and He will never turn that person away. The LORD still calls, “Will you not receive instruction to listen to my words?”

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD calls His people to listen, and that Jesus always did what the Father said. Parents, you may want to explain why the Rechabites kept their father’s word and why keeping rules never saves anyone. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He speaks and calls His people to listen, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.

Psalms 40:8

Lord, thank You that You call Your people to listen to You, and that Jesus always did what the Father said. Forgive us for hard hearts that will not hear Your voice. Thank You that Jesus kept Your law and gives His righteousness to all who trust Him. Help each of us to turn from sin, trust Jesus, and listen to You this week. Amen.