*H The word that came to Jeremias from the Lord in the days of Joakim the son of Josias king of Juda, saying:
Ver. 1. Joakim, when Nabuchodonosor besieged him again in his 7th year. The Rechabites then pitched their tents in Jerusalem. v. 11. C. — Here we behold a figure of religious orders in the Church, as well as in the Nazarites and disciples of the prophets. Num. vi. and 4 K. 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. Mat. xix. 12. — Joakim. This happened before the preceding prophecies. W.
*H 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.
Ver. 2. Rechabites. These were of the race of Jethro, father-in-law to Moses. Ch. — All the Heb. and Latin doctors agree that the Rechabites were strangers. v. 7. 19. W. — Treasures of corn, wine, &c. Jeremias, as a priest, had free access.
*H 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.
Ver. 4. Of God. Prophets are generally thus designated. 4 K. iv. 7. We know nothing more of this holy man. — Princes of the priests; or where princes made their offerings, or assembled to judge. C. xxvi. 10. — Entry. He was not removeable like the other Levites. 1 Par. ix. 19. 34. C.
*H 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.
Ver. 5. Wine. This was not an exhortation, but a trial. H.
*H 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:
Ver. 6. Jonadab. A man much esteemed by Jehu. 4 K. x. 15. W.
* Footnote * 4_Kings 10 : 15
And when he was departed thence, he found Jonadab, the son of Rechab, coming to meet him, and he blessed him. And he said to him: Is thy heart right as my heart is with thy heart? And Jonadab said: It is. If it be, said he, give me thy hand. He gave him his hand. And he lifted him up to him into the chariot,*H Neither shall ye build houses, nor sow reed, 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.
Ver. 7. Days. The reward of dutiful children. Ex. 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. C. — "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 S. Jerom, (ad Paulin.) S. Aug. in Ps. lxx. &c. H. Jonadab exhorted, and prescribed this rule, but it was not properly a command, being too arduous. T.
*H 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.
Ver. 11. Syria. 4 K. xxiv. 2. The mention of these shews that this was the second siege, when Joakim was slain, and many led into captivity, (C. lii. 28.) with these Rechabites. C. — They lived under tents, but in case of necessity entered the city. v. 10. If they observe works of supererogation, all must surely keep God's law. W.
*H 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.
Ver. 14. Me. What a contrast! H. — This was only a counsel, mine a law! T.
*H Therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts 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.
Ver. 19. Before me, in an honourable situation (1 Par. ii. 55.) about the temple. It was not requisite that they should be Levites. C. — For ever. Their reward shall be eternal bliss. H. — This they sought for, as they were strangers of Madian in the country. v. 7. M.