Disobeying is to Be Left in Shame

STUDY: #910- CHURCH IN THE HOUSES FROM: AUGUST 30 @ SEPTEMBER 5, 2016

Topic: "Disobeying is to Be Left in Shame" Jeremiah 35:1-19 The prophet Jeremiah speaks about the Rechabites’ obedience towards their parents, and condemns the Jews’ disobedience to God the Father. Here we see how God loves and rewards OBEDIENCE! And how the Lord abhors and punishes DISOBEDIENCE. The Rechabites were a nomadic tribe belonging to the Kenites Hamat (1 Chronicles 2:55 "The clans also of the scribes who lived at Jabez: the Tirathites, the Shimeathites and the Suchathites. These are the Kenites who came from Hammath, the father of the house of Rechab.") Moses' father-in-law came from that family (Judges 1:16). Jeremiah 35:6 says that Jonadab led the clan and taught them to live for God, as the sons of the prophets and Nazarites did. ("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’.") The excellent characteristics of the Rechabites were used by the prophet as an outcry against a sedentary lifestyle, and the comfort of the Israelites in the land of Canaan. The Rechabites lived as nomads, returning to the original ideals of the people of Israel; a life in the desert. They were an example in the midst of a people who had become very comfortable and complacent. The Rechabites’ way of life was clear and firm, according to their obedience to their leader. Jeremiah 35: 8-10 "We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, ourselves, our wives, our sons or our daughters, and not to build houses to dwell in. We have no vineyard or field or seed, but we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done all that Jonadab our father commanded us." They would not drink wine. They would not build houses nor sow seeds (fruit). They would not plant vineyards. THEY WOULD NOT POSSESS ANYTHING THAT WOULD TIE THEM DOWN TO THIS PASSING LIFE. They entered Canaan with the Israelites, but with a mentality to preserve their independence. They preferred living in tents without a fixed residence (1 Samuel 15:6; 2 Kings 10:15). Jeremiah 35:2 "Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers; then offer them wine to drink." Jeremiah took them to the temple to test them because priests and the people would be there to witnesses. It was a great reproach by the Lord and the prophet Jeremiah to the priests because they themselves had given in to drunkenness. Jeremiah 35:4 "... and brought them to the house of the Lord into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, the man of God ..." Hanan was called a man of God. This means he didn’t belong to himself, but to God. A person that has broken away from everything to give himself completely to God. Jeremiah 35:5 "And I set before the sons of the family of the Rechabites and cups full of wine and said to them. Drink wine." Jeremiah told them to drink. The Rechabites responded: "We will not drink ..." They would not do so because Jonadab had taught them not to; because their ancestors had given orders saying, "Do not ever drink wine you nor your children ..." This is pure obedience! Children’s obedience is exalted here. The Rechabites were not of the seed of Jacob. They were strangers in Israel. THEY WERE AN EXAMPLE OF THE CHILDREN OF GOD WHO WALK THIS EARTH, AND CONSIDER HEAVEN AS THEIR HOMELAND. They have so

little to lose. During times of economic crises, they barely show any alarm; entirely unconcerned for what they have. People like the Rechabites are a limitless example of obedience with all aspects of their lives; at all times. No exceptions. Meanwhile, Israel’s obedience to God left much to be desired. The Rechabites obeyed a man like them, Jonadab. On the other hand, the Jews disobeyed the infinite and eternal God who had "absolute authority" over them. In addition, nobody reminded the Rechabites of their obligation to obey their father, while God had frequently sent many prophets to His people. Jeremiah 35:14-15, "The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father’s command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me. I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, ‘Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.’ But you did not incline your ear or listen to me." God had given the Jews a good land, and promised them that if they obeyed they would possess the land forever. So perhaps they could have felt the obligation to obey out of gratitude and self-interest. But they would not listen. God had commanded Israel to serve Him, and added to the commandment a merciful promise: "... and live in the land that I gave you..." But everything was in vain. Jonadab's commandments were not for an eternity nor were they mandatory. However, they were obeyed by the Rechabites. Jeremiah 35:16 "The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them ..." God's commandments must be obeyed much more because they are righteous. Jeremiah 35:17 "... because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered." Jeremiah 35:19" ... Therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me." There would always be someone from Jonadab’s clan to worship Him. It is said that among those who returned from captivity there were Rechabites. The least we should do is imitate the Rechabites in integrity, obedience, and commitment. Because during these times God has called us. God has given us commandments and promises just like them. Let’s obey! Those who disobey are left in shame. But let Mega Zoe be like the Rechabites. Amen.