When The Rechabites Are Our Yardstick.

Jeremiah (active late 7th-early 6th century B.C.) was one of the four major Jewish prophets. A priest from Anathoth, Israel, he is the reputed author of the Book of Jeremiah.

When The Rechabites Are Our Yardstick.

Jeremiah 35:12-19

Wine Skin

12 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying: 13 "This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell¹ the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson² and obey my words?' declares the LORD. 14 'Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command.³ But I have spoken to you again and again,⁴ yet you have not obeyed⁵ me. 15 Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets⁶ to you. They said, "Each of you must turn⁷ from your wicked ways and reform⁸ your actions; do not follow other gods⁹ to serve them. Then you will live in the land¹⁰ I have given to you and your fathers." But you have not paid attention or listened¹¹ to me. 16 The descendants of Jonadab son of Recab have carried out the command their forefather¹² gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.' 17 "Therefore, this is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster¹³ I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen;¹⁴ I called to them, but they did not answer.' "¹⁵ 18 Then Jeremiah said to the family of the Recabites, "This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'You have obeyed the command of your forefather¹⁶ Jonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.' 19 Therefore, this is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'Jonadab son of Recab will never fail¹⁷ to have a man to serve¹⁸ me.' "

Although I have spoken to you……you did not obey Me (v14)

How often have you encountered  a person who has all the credentials of a believer, active in church, holds office and portray a measure of piety, previewing a fantastic first encounter impact, but  he or she has never met the Savior?

Jeremiah and the people of Judah had such an experience.

The Rechabites, a nomadic tribe during the era of the prophet Jeremiah received commendation by God for their steadfastness in observing laws passed down to them by their forefathers. In this case they were admonished to drink wine, and held firm to this and refused even when the prophet Jeremiah offered them (v 5&6).

These group of people has a tendency to observe a self instituted moral standards with religious fervor and consistency, more than Christians observe God’s statutes.

A Case Study:

Jim had been an avid witness for the Lord Jesus for over four decades, beginning from a very early age. Through the years he had enlarged his involvement in the ministry in diverse

para-church activities, evangelism, missions both within and beyond the shores of the country he hails from.

Often when permissible, he would attach himself to the local church fellowship both to impart and partake of the blessings of God through sharing of  experiences. However, Tony, a  figure in leadership in the group, took exception to seeing Jim’s presence. This was evident in the endless spirited yet sublime competitiveness, trying to out do the other from sharing a point, exerting influence, and at times failing to extend a cordial welcome to Jim.

All this took place, in-spite of the fundamental tenets of Christian harmony, welfare, respect and love being preached. But the show went on.

The belief in Tony to seek that extra edge, over one who has lengthier exposure and is a wealth of talent, probably useful even in a minute setting, was over-powering. Or worse still inferiority complex was his window to the world.

Tony was only titular, as far as Christ-likeness was concerned, and nothing more. The promise of enlargement of tent (family, work, ministry wise), breakthrough in the giftings, encouraging reports in the missions field  was evidently missing. Worse still the ones in his charge has much to lose and over the years appear stagnated.

Strangely, many a sermons, bible study and lessons at the house meetings would have touched on the standards of God, but Tony’s  fervency in maintaining his course with all the hallmarks of intense piety and beliefs, prevented him from seeing the  truth beyond the tip of his nose.

Today, whilst many unsaved people fervently uphold a set code of morals and customs, Christians on the other hand continue to flout God’s commands and ordinance with relative  ease.

Because of such disobedience, let it not be said of us that the “Rechabites” in our time and day are more faithful than we are.

Let us not have to hear God say to us,

“I am bringing upon Judah and upon all inhabitants of Jerusalem all the misery that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them, but they have not listened; I have called to them and they have not answered” Jer 35:17

Faith in Action Follows Obedience