In Jeremiah 35, we see a powerful illustration of
obedience. While the rest of the people of Israel were breaking its covenant
with God, the Rechabites were steadfast in their commitment they made to their
ancestor hundreds of years ago who gave a command to the family. God uses them
as an example of the type of obedience He desires from His people. In this chapter, Jeremiah offered wine to the Rechabites but they wouldn’t
drink it.
But they said, “We will not drink wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall not drink wine, you or your sons, forever.’” Jeremiah 35:6
The Rechabites were obedient to a man,
who was only their earthly father; but the Jews were disobedient to the eternal
God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, the one that holds their breath
in His hands. God isn’t telling anybody else not to drink wine. He’s just saying, "Here is a group of
people listening and obeying their fathers. Here are people of their word that
when tempted, they will not disobey because they are going to stand true to
their promise. And yet I have
spoken to you over and over again to turn from you evil way and you won't
listen to Me.” (Jeremiah 35:14-15)
The king of Judah didn’t want to listen to God, he didn’t
want to obey God but he wanted Jeremiah to pray for them. (Jer. 37:3). Do we simply want God there to get us what we
need, to deliver us and care for us but we don’t want to obey Him? Than we don't know who God is. He is God and there is no other. He is the one that judges in righteousness. And He tells us we are to live by His every word. If you want to live a life not where you are
desperately crying for prayer but where you are walking in His peace and His
joy, knowing and understanding your God and His will, than you’ve got to be in
His Word and commit to follow it. This weekend’s challenge is to get into the Word of God, do whatever He says and live by His every word.
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