I've been reading though the book of Jeremiah, and the other evening I read an interesting account that I know I've read before, but I suppose on this occasion I saw it in a different light.
Chapter thirty-five of Jeremiah gives an account of the Rechabites, the son of Jonadab. Their father commanded them that they abstain from wine and dwell in tents. Jeremiah brought them to the house of God and set wine before them and told them to drink. They refused.
Jeremiah didn't ask them to drink wine so they would sin (he knew they would refuse), rather to make a point to the rebellious nation that God was about to punish for their disobedience.
The end of the chapter shows God blessing them, promising them that even though judgment would come to the rebellious, God would bless them and their future generations for their obedience.
What a blessing this passage is in that respect! The Rehabites obeyed and stayed true to what was right, even publicly. They refused to sin against their father, and ultimately their God. Because of this, God blessed them and promised their protection.
Oh that we would follow their example, and obey our Heavenly Father; even when it may not seem to be the popular thing to do. Even if the rest of the nation around us refuses.
It is also a blessing to see the respect they had for their earthly father, who obviously instructed in them what was right. Jonadab must have been a Godly man, who shared that heritage with his children. It should encourage us to do likewise.
And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever. Jeremiah 35:18, 19
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