|
Jeremias xxxv.
Notes & Commentary:
Ver. 1. Joakim,
when Nabuchodonosor besieged him again in his 7th year. The Rechabites then pitched their tents in Jerusalem, ver. 11. (Calmet)
--- Here we behold a figure of religious orders in the Church, as well as in the Nazarites and disciples of the prophets,
Numbers vi., and 4 Kings i. They observed certain rules for acquiring greater perfection, and refrained from many things which
were otherwise lawful. Thus various religious orders, both of men and of women, have flourished in the Church, and though
they have different names and regulations, yet they are not sects, as heretics would pretend, but all follow the same faith,
use the same sacraments, and are a great ornament to the Catholic Church by their profession of the three essential vows of
poverty, chastity, and obedience, in imitation of the apostles, Matthew xix. 12. --- Joakim. This happened before the
preceding prophecies. (Worthington)
Ver. 2. Rechabites.
These were of the race of Jethro, father-in-law to Moses. (Challoner) --- All the Hebrew and Latin doctors agree that the
Rechabites were strangers, ver. 7, 19. (Worthington) --- Treasures of corn, wine, &c. Jeremias, as a priest,
had free access.
Ver. 4. Of
God. Prophets are generally thus designated, 4 Kings iv. 7. We know nothing more of this holy man. --- Princes
of the priests; or where princes made their offerings, or assembled to judge, chap. xxvi. 10. --- Entry. He was not
removeable like the other Levites, 1 Paralipomenon ix. 19, 34. (Calmet)
Ver. 5. Wine.
This was not an exhortation, but a trial. (Haydock)
Ver. 6. Jonadab.
A man much esteemed by Jehu, 4 Kings x. 15. (Worthington)
Ver. 7. Days.
The reward of dutiful children, Exodus xx. 12. These are models of those Christians who follow the rule of some virtuous person,
in order to be at a greater distance from any transgression of the law, and to observe it with more perfection. (Calmet) ---
"If a father could lay such an injunction on his descendants, and they receive commendation for observing it, why may not
the fathers of the Church enjoin things which are not of themselves necessary, but....useful to avoid the occasions of evil,
or to advance in virtue?" says Grotius, a Protestant, after St. Jerome, (Ad Paulin.) St. Augustine, in Psalm lxx., &c.)
(Haydock) Jonadab exhorted, and prescribed this rule, but it was not properly a command, being too arduous. (Tirinus)
Ver. 11. Syria.
4 Kings xxiv. 2. The mention of these shews that this was the second siege, when Joakim was slain, and many led into captivity,
(chap. lii. 28.) with these Rechabites. (Calmet) --- They lived under tents, but in case of necessity entered the city, ver.
10. If they observe works of supererogation, all must surely keep God's law. (Worthington)
Ver. 14. Me.
What a contrast! (Haydock) --- This was only a counsel, mine a law! (Tirinus)
Ver. 19. Before
me, in an honourable situation (1 Paralipomenon ii. 55.) about the temple. It was not requisite that they should be Levites.
(Calmet) --- For ever. Their reward shall be eternal bliss. (Haydock) --- This they sought for, as they were strangers
of Madian in the country, ver. 7. (Menochius)
 |
|
|
Bible Text & Cross-references:
The obedience of the Rechabites condemns the disobedience
of the Jews. The reward of the Rechabites.
1 The *word that came to Jeremias from the Lord in the days of Joakim,
the son of Josias, king of Juda, saying:
2 Go to the house of the Rechabites: and speak to them, and bring them
into the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers of the treasures, and thou shalt give them wine to drink.
3 And I took Jezonias, the son of Jeremias, the son of Habsanias, and
his brethren, and all his sons, and the whole house of the Rechabites.
4 And I brought them into the house of the Lord, to the treasure-house
of the sons of Hanan, the son of Jegedelias, the man of God, which was by the treasure-house of the princes, above the treasure
of Maasias, the son of Sellum, who was keeper of the entry.
5 And I set before the sons of the house of the Rechabites pots full
of wine, and cups: and I said to them: Drink ye wine.
6 And they answered : We will not drink wine; because Jonadab, the son
of Rechab, *our father, commanded us, saying: You shall drink no wine, neither you, nor your children, for ever:
7 Neither shall ye build houses, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyards, nor
have any: but you shall dwell in tents all your days, that you may live many days upon the face of the earth, in which you
are strangers.
8 Therefore we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, our
father, in all things that he commanded us, so as to drink no wine all our days: neither we, nor our wives, nor our sons,
nor our daughters:
9 Nor to build houses to dwell in, nor to have vineyard, or field, or
seed:
10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have been obedient according to all
that Jonadab, our father, commanded us.
11 But when Nabuchodonosor, king of Babylon, came up to our land, we
said: Come, let us go into Jerusalem, from the face of the army of the Chaldeans, and from the face of the army of Syria:
and we have remained in Jerusalem.
12 And the word of the Lord came to Jeremias, saying:
13 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Go, and say to the
men of Juda, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem: Will you not receive instruction, to obey my words, saith the Lord ?
14 The words of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, by which he commanded his
sons not to drink wine, have prevailed: and they have drunk none to this day, because they have obeyed the commandment of
their father: but I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, and you have not obeyed me.
15 And I have sent to you all my servants, the prophets, rising early,
and sending and saying: *Return ye every man from his wicked way, and make your ways good: and follow not strange gods, nor
worship them, and you shall dwell in the land which I gave you and your fathers: and you have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened
to me.
16 So the sons of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, have constantly kept the
commandment of their father, which he commanded them: but this people hath not obeyed me.
17 Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold
I will bring upon Juda, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, all the evil that I have pronounced against them, because
I have spoken to them, and they have not heard: I have called to them, and they have not answered me.
18 And Jeremias said to the house of the Rechabites: Thus saith the Lord
of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab, your father, and have kept all his precepts,
and have done all that he commanded you:
19 Therefore thus saith the Lord of host, the God of Israel: There shall
not be wanting a man of the race of Jonadab, the son of Rechab, standing before me for ever.
____________________
*
1: Year of the World 3398, Year before Christ 606.
6: 4 Kings x. 15.
15: Jeremias xviii. 11. and xxv. 5.
|
|
|