Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

34:1 This message came when Babylon's invasion was in full force (c. 587 b.c.).

34:3-5 Zedekiah will lose the battle and his freedom. He will go to Babylon with many of his people (21:7). Second Kings 25:6-7 records the fulfillment: after Zedekiah meets the king of Babylon eye to eye (in Riblah), his sons are slain and his eyes are put out, and then he is led off to Babylon. Nonetheless, God will allow Zedekiah to die in peace, for he is David's descendant (cf. Jer. 52:11).

34:6-7 With only weeks remaining before Jerusalem's fall, Jeremiah spoke to Zedekiah again. Lachish is 27 miles (43 km) southwest of Jerusalem. Azekah is 11 miles (18 km) north of Lachish and 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Jerusalem; originally fortified under Rehoboam (2 Chron. 11:5), it was one of the last towns to fall to Nebuchadnezzar in 587 b.c. The Lachish Letters (21 letters from this era found by archaeologists) describe the circumstances of the city's demise. the only fortified cities . . . that remained. All other walled, armed cities with commanding views had been taken.

34:8-11 When Jerusalem feared that defeat was imminent, the people freed all Hebrew slaves, or bondservants, so they could fight. but afterward. When the threat eased, however, they rescinded the freedom.

34:13 covenant with your fathers. The Mosaic covenant, which was based on God freeing Israel from the house of bondage (see Ex. 20:2).

34:14 Israelites could become indentured servants of one another for a period of six years, but then were to be set free (Ex. 21:2; Deut. 15:12). Historically many in Israel rejected this teaching, finding ways to keep persons enslaved.

34:15 repented. Of not obeying God's word on indentured persons. made a covenant. Performed a solemn covenant ceremony in the temple, setting the servants free.

34:16 turned around. Repented of repenting. profaned my name. Invoked in the ceremony. took back. Enslaved again those set free according to God's word.

34:17 Because the servants have not been set free, God sets the nation "free" to be consumed by sword, pestilence, and famine. See 14:1-12; 15:1-4; 29:17-18; 32:24.

34:18-20 make them like the calf. Put the covenant breakers to death by the sword. passed between its parts. Covenant-ratification ceremonies (vv. 16-17) often included cutting a sacrifice in two and having the parties walk between the halves of the sacrifice (Gen. 15:7-17). Presumably the cutting of the sacrifice would warn the parties of the consequences of breaking the covenant. All the people of Judah and their leaders have broken the covenant and must suffer the consequences of their actions.

34:22 bring them back. Babylon had lifted its siege of Jerusalem for some unspecified reason, which probably motivated the revocation of the servants' freedom (v. 11). This time was only a reprieve before destruction.

35:1 days of Jehoiakim. King 609-598 b.c. See Dates of Events in Jeremiah. These events are not sequential to ch. 34, which took place in 587 b.c. (see note on 34:1).

35:2 Rechabites. Nomadic tribe that originated with the Kenites (Judg. 4:11; 1 Sam. 15:6; 1 Chron. 2:55) and was associated with Jehu's purge in 842 b.c. (2 Kings 10:15-17). The chambers of the house of the Lord were used for storage or for living quarters (cf. 1 Kings 6:5; Neh. 13:4-9). offer them wine. Normally associated with hospitality.

35:3-4 Jeremiah took the Rechabites to the living quarters of Igdaliah. man of God. Synonym for "prophet" (1 Sam. 2:27; 9:6; 1 Kings 12:22; 17:24). officials. Court officials. The temple and royal palace were adjacent to one another. keeper of the threshold. The priest who managed the temple entrances and the collecting of temple taxes (2 Kings 12:9; Jer. 52:24).

35:5-7 The Rechabites refuse the wine because their ancestor had bound them not to drink wine or build permanent homes (a voluntary commitment, perhaps something like a Nazirite vow; Num. 6:2-4).

35:8-11 The Rechabites have obeyed the voice of their ancestor. They came to Jerusalem only out of necessity when Babylon began its invasion.

35:12-14 The Lord points out the stark contrast between the Rechabites, who have kept the command of Jonadab, and his people Israel, who have not listened to him.

35:15-16 God sent regular reminders of his covenant with Judah through the prophets (7:23-25; 11:6, 7; 25:3-4; 29:19; 32:33), to no avail, whereas the Rechabites needed be told only once to obey their ancestor.

35:17 all the disaster. See 34:22. called to them. Through Moses and the prophets (Luke 16:29-31). not answered. By believing, repenting, and obeying (Hos. 11:1-2).

35:18-19 The Lord tells the Rechabites that, because they have obeyed their own spiritual leader (vv. 8-10), they will stand before the God of Israel. "Stand before" is a synonym for serving God in his presence, often in the temple (cf. 7:10; 15:19).