THE RECHABITES

JEREMIAH 35:1-19

INTRODUCTION

Jonadab the son of Rechab, was a strong, wise man. His life and testimony was a protest against the sins of the age. The spirit of the age was, Baal-worship (Devil worship), drunkenness, free sex, pornography and intemperance. The Rechabites had the spirit of Elijah who defied the spirit of age in his day. The Rechabites were a family that lived a life of separation. They lived a patriarchal fashion of life. They lived in tents, not permanent houses (v.6) no wine, beer or spirits, they observed the vow of the Nazarite (Numbers 6:2-4). God fed them, for they did not sow seed. Now God used them to rebuke Judah who did not heed the commandments of God their father.

Let us learn much from the Rechabites:-

I.  THEY WERE SONS OF A GOOD FATHER-JONADAB

• Their great grandfather was Rechab.
• Their father was Jonadab a man zealous for the cause of God (2 Kings 10:15-16)
• Jonadab was always on the “Right side” with God, He founded a purist religious group committed to the old ways of God (Jeremiah 6:16)
• Jonadab was a man zealous for the cause of God, he was a courageous, righteous and consistent example for his children.
• Blessed are those parents who are a consistently good example to their children.
• The good as well as the evil that men do live after them in their children

II.  THEY WERE SEVERELY TESTED

• “Bring them into the house of the Lord and give them wine to drink”v.2
• They had come into the city of Jerusalem for safety when Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon and his forces had come into the land(v.11)
• Many young people come to church to escape the devil in the world.
• But in the house of God, they are tempted by the servants of God- The girls are seduced by preachers, prophets and worship leaders!! In God’s own house.
• They are tempted to break their vow of abstinence, they break their virginity. God help the church.
• The wolves are many in the house of God- who tested them? – The prophet.
• City temptations are strong for young men in every age especially today.
• How many are still tempted to take the intoxicating wine in the house of God, by God’s own servants at “Communion seasons” when the house of prayer smells like a saloon-bar (lounge)
• How many are tempted in church bashes, back to school and worship experiences of today. God help the church.

III.  THEY WERE FAITHFUL TO THEIR CONVICTIONS

• “They said, we will drink no wine, as our father commanded us” v.6.
• Although their father was dead long years ago
• Although no one might have reproached them for taking it on such occasion, yet they remained true to their father’s wish and their own consciences.
• Jeremiah already knew well that they would not touch it.
• The proverb, “when in Rome do as the Romans do” is cowardly and immoral.
• This lax, accommodating principle has been the ruin of multitudes.

IV.   THEY BECAME AN EXAMPLE TO OTHERS (V.14)

• “The obeyed their father’s commandment”
• They were faithful to their father’s words spoken three hundred years ago.
• But God’s own professed children had disregarded and forgotten His words.
• This day we show more fidelity to our temporal human relationships than in our spiritual and eternal relationship with the Living God!
• The Rechabites had received but one command and they obeyed (V.16)
• God’s people have had servants and prophets sent again and again (V.15)
• Men are slow to believe God- are you one of them?

V.  THEY WERE REWARDED (V.18-19)

• “because you have obeyed your father and kept his precepts, Jonadab shall not lack a man to stand before me forever”
• Their obedience to their parents was well pleasing unto the Lord (Col.3:20)
• As a family they lived long on the earth, even today they live!!
• This is the special blessing attached to the honoring of your father and mother (Eph.6:1-3, Ex.20:12)
• Obedience to God’s word is rewarded with everlasting life (John 3:34-36)

CONCLUSION

• All who honor His word shall stand before Him forever.
• When you were tempted, did you stand in faithfulness to God?
• What if you are tempted by the prophet, the pastor, the elder, the worship leader, the choirmaster?
• Have you drank “the wine set before you” come back to God, now”
• Remember the Rechabites and the children of Jonadab.