There are two primary facts set forth in this chapter.
1. THE COMMITMENT OF THE RECHABITES, VERSES 1-11. The Lord instructed Jeremiah to invite the Rechabites, descendants of Jonadab, into the house of the Lord where the prophet set wine before them. The offer of wine was refused for they were conscientious to follow the instructions of Jonadab, who lived some 300 years prior to this. He had commanded his posterity not to drink wine nor to dwell in houses. They were to live in tents, symbolizing that life here is brief and they should not become too settled in this world.
2. THE CHARGE AGAINST THE JEWS, VERSES 12-19. The obedience of the Rechabites to the word of a man magnified and compounded the disobedience of the Jews to Word of God. Jonadab was just a man, yet his instructions were still being followed by his offspring. Judah, however, refused to obey the commands of their Creator and Provider. They neglected the true worship of God and considered His commandments as meaningless. Consequently, temporal mercy was promised to the descendants of Jonadab, while everlasting judgment was promised to the disobedient Jews.