The obedience of the Rechabites

…….. that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers.
(Jer 35:7b)

This chapter in the book of Jeremiah is like a breath of fresh air in the midst of a nation that has departed from God who loved them with an everlasting love (Jer 31:3). It is a nation that has yielded it self to prophecies (2 Tim 4:3) that suit their liking where the leaders and shepherds are judged. This glimmer of hope in the form of the people who are descendents of Jonadab the son of Rechab proved themselves to be a company of remnants that God was looking for in a backslidden nation.

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (1Sam 15:22)

God is not looking sacrifice, for what can be greater than the sacrifice in the form of the Son of God. Partial obedience is not acceptable, because many will conceal self motives under the cloak of religious zeal. Total obedience is to say ‘Let Thy will be done’. God’s will is always good, acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:1, 2). Substitution of His with our will means that His promises can’t be fulfilled in us. Letting His will take over ours will says that we have to lay our will down and leaving us in the un-nerving situation where we are no longer in control. This is what faith is about, a position of God’s great delight.

…….. for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, …….
(Jer 35:6)

Obedience brings about fulfillment of promise, in this case that they may live many days even as strangers (Exo 20:12 and Eph 6:2). Inward reverence shows forth in our outward behavior. This is what God honors because He sees the intentions of our hearts. ‘Many days’ would also mean fulfilled days, meaningless long lengths of time is of no value. How many of us live fulfilling lives? Perhaps we need to come back to the place of inward reverence toward our parents (Mal 4:6). Yes, we can live fulfilled lives which are not governed by circumstances (as strangers). Unwelcoming situations don’t mean we live unfulfilled lives, He will ensure that we do….

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation. (Psa 91:16)

Jonadab’s commandment for his descendents was firstly ‘to drink no wine all our days’ (Jer 35:8) nor ‘build houses, plant vineyards, field nor seed but to dwell in tents’ (Jer 35:9). These seem to be strange commands in our world where we want to ensure that our children and their children live ‘good’ lives, or at least better than ours. The pursuit of happiness by making it big in the world is the theme parroted over and over again, feeding the spirit of covetousness (which incidentally found in the 10th commandment). Jonadab’s story began with the overthrow of evil Ahab’s descendents in partnership with Jehu (2 Kings 10:15). The commandment could most like stem out of the evil that he experienced during his days and desired that his descendants stay away from it.

The first remarkable precept was similar to the Nazarite vow of abstinence of wine. The Nazarite’s vow was about separation from the world and not participating in the joy’s of it (wine is a picture of joy) not given to drunkardness but be filled with the Spirit (Eph 5:18, 19). Living a life led by the Spirit breeds no condemnation (Rom 8:1, please don’t refer to NIV). The famous Nazarite include Samson and of course Jesus who was called the Nazarene. Living a purpose driven life is not found in a book, it is found in Jesus… for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. It is a life that refuses to identify itself with the world and the gratification of the flesh.

Secondly is that we don’t become too earth bound (Heb 11:13) but be constantly reminded that we look for the heavenly country, a stature where God is not ashamed to be called our God (Heb 11:16). Instead of inheriting the world which the Father has no part of (1 John 2:16) but inheriting the Kingdom of God. Jesus says the meek shall inherit the earth and not to inherit the world for the world will pass away. Those who do the will of the Father will abide forever. Why desire for what is passing away?

Jonadab the son of Rechab certainly has eternity in his sights and in all his wisdom passed this commandment down to his descendants. He saw the evil in his days and learned much from experience. We likewise can live fulfilled lives as we pass through planet earth as strangers and pilgrims, looking forward to reigning with Christ in eternity if we heed the wisdom of this man.