Jeremiah 35:1-19 NLT
This is the message the Lord gave Jeremiah when Jehoiakim son of Josiah was king of Judah: “Go to the settlement where the families of the Recabites live, and invite them to the Lord’s Temple. Take them into one of the inner rooms, and offer them some wine.” So I went to see Jaazaniah son of Jeremiah and grandson of Habazziniah and all his brothers and sons—representing all the Recabite families. I took them to the Temple, and we went into the room assigned to the sons of Hanan son of Igdaliah, a man of God. This room was located next to the one used by the Temple officials, directly above the room of Maaseiah son of Shallum, the Temple gatekeeper. I set cups and jugs of wine before them and invited them to have a drink, but they refused. “No,” they said, “we don’t drink wine, because our ancestor Jehonadab son of Recab gave us this command: ‘You and your descendants must never drink wine. And do not build houses or plant crops or vineyards, but always live in tents. If you follow these commands, you will live long, good lives in the land.’ So we have obeyed him in all these things. We have never had a drink of wine to this day, nor have our wives, our sons, or our daughters. We haven’t built houses or owned vineyards or farms or planted crops. We have lived in tents and have fully obeyed all the commands of Jehonadab, our ancestor. But when King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon attacked this country, we were afraid of the Babylonian and Syrian armies. So we decided to move to Jerusalem. That is why we are here.” Then the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah: “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. The Recabites do not drink wine to this day because their ancestor Jehonadab told them not to. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you refuse to obey me. Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you, “Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you would not listen to me or obey me. The descendants of Jehonadab son of Recab have obeyed their ancestor completely, but you have refused to listen to me.’ “Therefore, this is what the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Because you refuse to listen or answer when I call, I will send upon Judah and Jerusalem all the disasters I have threatened.’” Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘You have obeyed your ancestor Jehonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.’ Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.’”
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Fiddler on the Roof is one of my favourite films! And in that film is a song entitled, Tradition that just about scratches the surface of this bible passage.
In summary of the passage above, there was a clan of Jews that was faithful to keep the traditions of their ancestors even when it made them seem completely out of step with the rest of society. The Recabites were the Amish of their day. It wasn't that they thought that they had a special mission from God or any special revelation. It was that they honoured their fathers' teaching. And as a whole group they had taught all their families to follow this teaching.
God had told his people how to live but his people had disregarded him. God wanted his people to be ashamed of their disobedience and their refusal to listen to the prophets he had sent them.
Who do you listen to? Whose advice are you freely disseminating? Are you happy to propagate the latest diet or financial plan? Do you swear by a particular type of technology and feel quite proud that you chose it and stick with it. Do your choices make you superior and a little smug? Whether it is money, holidays, cars, mobiles or computers, people listen to some "authority" and then then make their choices accordingly. When I was in the states, I remember people who were really proud they pretty much only bought American made products. And here in England, there are many people who feel like they are really doing a good thing by supporting faithfully the Fair Trade movement or only buying free range animals and eggs.
Do you listen to God? Are you proud that you do? Are you willing to tell others that you follow God's Word?
God wants a following. More to the point only God deserves a following. Far more than your football team, the X-Factor or I'm a Celebrity, God demands you plan your life around his Word! You might record your favourite show so you don't miss it. And you may proudly wear the accessories of your favourite star, fad, company or team. But are you willing to follow God? Are you willing to make it known. Are you willing to plan your life around God?
Why not? Is God not worth it? Do you find God boring? Does God not help you create the image you want to have?
God is asking you to follow him. God is telling you to listen to him. There is nothing greater you can dedicate yourself to. Why are you not proud to say you follow God? Someday you'll get tell God face to face.
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