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OBEDIENCE, HONORING GOD
God expects His people to honor Him through their obedience.
God provides faithful examples we can follow in life.
Jeremiah 35:5-11 NLT
I set cups and jugs of wine before them and invited them to have a drink, [6] but they refused. “No,” they said, “we don’t drink wine, because our ancestor Jonadab son of Recab gave us this command: ‘You and your descendants must never drink wine. [7] And do not build houses or plant crops or vineyards, but always live in tents. If you follow these commands, you will live long, good lives in the land.’ [8] So we have obeyed him in all these things. We have never had a drink of wine to this day, nor have our wives, our sons, or our daughters. [9] We haven’t built houses or owned vineyards or farms or planted crops. [10] We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed all the commands of Jonadab, our ancestor. [11] But when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked this country, we were afraid of the Babylonian and Syrian armies. So we decided to move to Jerusalem. That is why we are here.”
“What are some long-standing family traditions you still honor today? Why are you still following those traditions?”
The Rechabites were a semi-nomadic clan who lived in the uplands of Judah and were descendants of the Kenites (1 Chron. 2:54-55). In Jeremiah’s day, they came through the line of Jonadab, the son of Rechab. Jonadab had joined King Jehu in purging Israel of the wicked house of Ahab and its Baal worshipers (2 Kings 10:15-27).
When Jeremiah invited the Rechabites to drink wine, they refused. Jonadab had commanded his descendants never to drink wine. He also forbade them from settling down in one place or from working the land.
For approximately 250 years, the Rechabites had been faithful to Jonadab’s commands. They had refused wine and lived a nomadic existence. They only came inside the walls of Jerusalem as a temporary measure to escape Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians.
“Does the obedience of the Rechabites say more about their faithfulness or their respect for Jonadab?”
The text seems to imply that the Rechabites were faithful to keep Jonadab’s command based on their respect for him. This is a great example for Christians today. Obedience to God and His commands should be a response to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross for our sins.
God stands against those who disregard Him.
Jeremiah 35:12-17 NLT
Then the LORD gave this message to Jeremiah: [13] “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: Go and say to the people in Judah and Jerusalem, ‘Come and learn a lesson about how to obey me. [14] The Recabites do not drink wine to this day because their ancestor Jonadab told them not to. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you refuse to obey me. [15] Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you, “Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you would not listen to me or obey me. [16] The descendants of Jonadab son of Recab have obeyed their ancestor completely, but you have refused to listen to me.’ [17] “Therefore, this is what the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you refuse to listen or answer when I call, I will send upon Judah and Jerusalem all the disasters I have threatened.'”
“Who are some examples of faithfulness in your life? What makes their examples so powerful for you?”
God used the faithfulness of the Rechabites as a testimony against the unfaithfulness of Judah. For more than two centuries, the Rechabites had been unyielding in their commitment to another human’s commands. In contrast, the people of Judah refused to obey the directions handed down to them from the Creator of the universe.
Given who the Lord was to them and what He had done for them, the people of God had much more reason to listen to Him than the Rechabites had to listen to their forefather. The Rechabites’ loyalty put the Israelites to shame and shined a light on the absurdity of their disloyalty to God.
“How did the Rechabites serve as an example for Judah to learn from?”
“Why is it essential that we recognize that God stands against those who disregard Him?”
Emphatically, the Lord declared that He would bring disaster on Judah and Jerusalem because the people refused to obey Him. He had graciously given them numerous opportunities to repent. But they refused to answer His call.
“Would you say you are more like the Rechabites or the residents of Judah? Why?”
People today that reject God and His message of redemption through Jesus are in for a shock when their life on this earth comes to a close. Unfortunately, it will be too late. They have condemned themselves, and will spend eternity separated from God. There will be no excuses and do-overs. God is just and will bring judgment on those who reject the Gospel.
For believers who are disobedient, the loving Heavenly Father will discipline His children, to the extent necessary to bring them back into fellowship with the Father.
Based on this, “How should you adjust your life?”
God honors those who faithfully serve Him.
Jeremiah 35:18-19 NLT
Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, “This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed your ancestor Jonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.’ [19] Therefore, this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.'”
“How does faithfulness in one area give a person an opportunity to serve in greater ways?”
Jeremiah pronounced a blessing on the Rechabites for their loyalty to their ancestor and for providing an example of faithfulness to Judah. God said that He would bless the family line of the Rechabites.
Our obedience demonstrates to the world our faith in the Lord. Plus, God honors those who faithfully serve Him. Scripture assures us that His blessing will rest on faithful families who follow Him with all their hearts.
Exodus 20:6 NLT
But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
“How can you and your family demonstrate faithfulness to God in the coming days?”
“What kind of impact could that have on your family, your church, and your community?”
CHALLENGE
Examine your life for anything that is dishonoring God. Spend time confessing and repenting of any disobedience in your life.