God has an object lesson for His people in today’s reading. God has Jeremiah invite the Rechabites to the Temple. When they arrive, Jeremiah invites them to drink some wine. The Rechabite response was exactly what the Lord wanted His people to see and hear!
Then I set before the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, “Drink wine.” But they answered, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, ‘You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever. You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.’ We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us… (Jeremiah 35:5–8, ESV)
An Object Lesson in Obedience
The Rechabites are Kenites, the people of Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian. In Judges 1:16 and 1 Chronicles 2:25, we find that they became allies with Israel and embraced the ways of the Lord. Over the many generations, these nomadic, tent-dwelling people have exhibited faithfulness, obedience, and soberness by honoring their forefather Jonadab and his command to his family. So, when Jeremiah offered them wine, and they refused in the presence of those at the Temple, this was the sermon that God wanted His people to see. He wanted them to see what obedience looks like, for they had forgotten.
“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. (Jeremiah 35:13, NLT)
The Importance of Obedience
If we remember back to a time in King Saul’s life, the first human king Israel had, we know how much God values obedience.
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22, KJV)
Yet Judah and Jerusalem have refused to obey; notice the consequences.
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered. (Jeremiah 35:17, KJV)
The Blessing of Obedience
What a simple yet valuable object lesson. God is looking for obedience in our lives as believers. What is at the root of faithful obedience? What gives life and vitality to obedience? Notice the words of Jesus. If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15, KJV) Of course, Jesus is the ultimate object lesson! If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. (John 15:10, KJV)
Let us love our God and obey His Word, that our joy may be full! These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. (John 15:11, KJV)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Jeremiah 35-37.