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Do you know about the Rechabites?
Seems I have a confession to make. I am a pastor’s wife. I have taught the Bible for the past 57 years. My husband and I read through the Bible each year, yet I was unfamiliar with the story of the Rechabites. Somehow, I didn’t pick up on the name or had read the story quickly without realizing its’ importance. Maybe, I wasn’t alone, as I can’t recall ever hearing anyone preach a sermon on them either.
This time reading through the Bible, the story found in Jeremiah chapter 35 reached out and touched my heart.
So here I am, asking you if you know about the Rechabites or if, like me, you too are uninformed?
Curious?
Let me set the stage for you.
The prophet Jeremiah was told by God to go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them, bring them into the house of the Lord, and, in one of the chambers there give them wine to drink.
Jeremiah did as he was told.
Before the sons of the house of the Rechabites, Jeremiah had bowls of wine and cups set and they were told to drink.
However, they said they would not drink the wine.
In verse 6 of Jeremiah 35 we see their reason:
6 But they said, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall drink no wine, you nor your sons, forever. 7 You shall not build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard, nor have any of these; but all your days you shall dwell in tents, that you may live many days in the land where you are sojourners.’ 8 Thus we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters, 9 nor to build ourselves houses to dwell in; nor do we have vineyard, field, or seed. 10 But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
The Lord then tells Jeremiah to tell the men of Judah and Jerusalem that they have not obeyed Him, the God of Israel, as the Rechabites obeyed their father.
We pick up at verse 12:
12 Then came the word of the Lord to Jeremiah, saying, 13 “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Will you not receive instruction to obey My words?” says the Lord. 14 “The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; for to this day they drink none, and obey their father’s commandment.
What a wonderful recognition and honor given to the men of the house of the Rechabites.
Yet, God lets the Israelites know that He is fully aware that they are not obeying Him, the God of Israel.
14 But although I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, you did not obey Me. 15 I have also sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Turn now everyone from his evil way, amend your doings, and do not go after other gods to serve them; then you will dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me. 16 Surely the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them, but this people has not obeyed Me.” ’
God reminds that He told them but they didn’t obey. He sent His servants the prophets but they didn’t listen to them bringing God’s word and warnings.
God tells them they have NOT obeyed Him while the sons of Jonadad the son of Rechab have followed the command of their father.
God continues with the promise of doom on those disobedient Israelites. Yet, God has Jeremiah tell the house of the Rechabites that they are rewarded for their obedience to their own father and never will they lack a man to stand before God. What an honor!
17 “Therefore thus says the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the doom that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them but they have not heard, and I have called to them but they have not answered.’ ”
18 And Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts and done according to all that he commanded you, 19 therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever.” ’ ” Jeremiah 35 NKJV
We see that God is aware of every act of obedience and disobedience humans commit.
It begs to be asked how well do we obey?
Do you obey wholeheartedly, regardless of personal cost or difficulty?
Do you obey whether it is convenient as well as obey when it breaks your heart?
Are you truly obeying with all laid on the line?
Do you obey with all of your heart?
May we obey completely out of love for our Father God as the Rechabites obeyed their earthly father over their lifetimes.
May we remember always the value of obedience.
Lastly, ask yourself: Is wholehearted obedience the way YOU obey YOUR FATHER GOD?