Jeremiah 35:6, 8-10, 14-19

But they replied, “We don’t drink wine because our ancestor Jonadab son of Rechab made a rule that we must obey. He insisted that we and our descendants must never drink wine

Our clan has always fully obeyed the command of Jonadab son of Rechab, our ancestor. To this very day, we and our wives, sons, and daughters don’t drink wine, build houses, or plant vineyards or crops. And we have lived in tents.

The words of Jonadab son of Rechab ordered his descendants to drink no wine, and they have fully obeyed their ancestor’s command, for they drank no wine even until today. But I have spoken to you so urgently, over and over, yet you refuse to listen. I have repeatedly sent my servants the prophets to you, saying, “Repent, every one of you, from your evil actions and correct the way you’ve been living. Do not chase after other gods to serve them, and you will continue to live on the land I gave to you and your ancestors.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me. The descendants of Jonadab and Rechab have kept the command their ancestor gave them, but your people have not listened to me. So now, I, Lord YAHWEH, God of Israel, Commander of Angel Armies, say to you people of Judah and Jerusalem: I spoke to you, and you would not listen; because I called to you and you would not answer me, I will bring upon you all the destruction I have decreed against you.’ ” Then Jeremiah said to the Rechabites, “YAHWEH, the God of Israel, Commander of Angel Armies, says to you, ‘Because you have obeyed the commands of your ancestor Jonadab and observed all his rules, obeying everything he ordered you to do, therefore, YAHWEH, the God of Israel, Commander of Angel Armies, promises you this: There will always be a male descendant of Jonadab son of Rechab who will stand before me and serve me forever.’ ”