Jeremiah 34-35

“You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming release each man to his brother, and each man to his neighbor” (34:17).  God had forbidden the Israelites from permanently enslaving one another (a common way of dealing with debt).  Although the Israelites had briefly obeyed (34:15), they went right back to their old behavior.  For this disobedience, God “released them” (34:17) to experience the dangers of life without His protection.  They learned that submission to God’s ways was far better than the “freedom” of being without Him.

In contrast, God pointed out the Rechabites (ch 35), who honored their ancestor’s covenant and experienced the long-term fruits of obedience (35:19).