OBEDIENCE to GODLY INSTRUCTIONS has GREAT REWARDS
August 18 Bible Reading: Jeremiah Chapters 34-36
OBEDIENCE to GODLY INSTRUCTIONS has GREAT REWARDS
And Jeremiah said to
the house of the Rechabites, "Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of
Israel: 'Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and
kept all his precepts and done according to all that he commanded you,
therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: "Jonadab the son
of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever." (Jer
35:18-19)
The Rechabites were named after Rechab whose son Jonadab was
active in aiding Jehu in the expulsion of Baal worship in the Northern Kingdom
of Israel in 841 B.C., and they descended from the Kenites (Judges 1:16; 1 Chr.
2:55).
Jeremiah obeyed the Lord by inviting the Rechabites into the
house of the Lord and by offering them wine to drink (v. 1-5). The Rechabites
courteously refused to drink it because of instructions their father had given
them (v. 6) in line with the Nazarite vows (Judges 13:5; 2 Kings 10:15). The
vow taken by Jonadab the son of Rechab had committed his descendants to a
nomadic life and abstinence from wine, which was a voluntary commitment that
was not required by the Mosaic Law (Deut. 6:10, 11; 7:13). Further, they
refused to build houses, sow seeds, plant or own vineyards due to which they
were forced to live in Jerusalem by the advance of the Chaldeans (v. 7-11).
They maintained a true pilgrim character. What an example!
In marked contrast were the people of Judah. While the
Rechabites obeyed and followed the teachings of Jonadab their father, Judah had
neither obeyed the Lord nor followed His instructions. The Rechabites were more
loyal to their earthly father and his human judgments than the people of Judah
were to their Creator God. Because the Rechabites were faithful to the command
of their forefather, the Lord assured them they would always have descendants who
would worship the Lord! (vv. 18-19)
People sometimes excuse or justify their immoral behavior
with the attitude that “everybody’s doing
it.” But that notion is false. Not everyone is doing it. Not everyone is
giving way to popular opinion. The Rechabites showed that it is possible to
remain obedient and faithful to God, no matter what other people may be doing.
God is always looking for individuals whose lives are characterized by
obedience and faithfulness. Such individuals will experience God’s blessing
even in the midst of trials! “Moreover it
is required in stewards that one be found faithful." (1 Cor 4:2) "A faithful man will abound with
blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."
(Prov 28:20)
Let us also commit to be faithful to God alone and fully obey His instructions by walking in His will: "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Rev 2:10)
