It is so tempting to be our own person, answering only to ourselves. My parents cannot tell me what to do. My spouse cannot tell me what to do. The elders cannot tell me what to do. While we might never say it directly, some of us say with our actions, "God cannot tell me what to do." This attitude can be defined as selfishness and rebellion. It was an epidemic problem for Judah in Jeremiah's day, when God sent the prophet "to the house of the Rechabites" (35:2). God, knowing the circumstances in Jonadab the Rechabite's house, told Jeremiah to give them wine to drink (35:2). They all, quite a house full of them, said, "We will drink no wine" (35:6). It is interesting to decipher the events of this account.
They obeyed their father (Jer. 35:6). They would not drink the wine Jeremiah poured because of the commandment of their father. He left a "command" for his family to obey and they obeyed it.
They obeyed their father completely (Jer. 35:8). They tell Jeremiah, "We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in ALL that he charged us." They did not do just what was convenient or what they liked. They did "all."
They obeyed their father completely with their whole family (Jer. 35:9). They imposed their religion on their spouses and children. They did not give the kids space and the freedom to make their own choices "without parental interference." No, they were active in their family's spiritual life and, like Joshua, chose for their families to obey their father (cf. Josh. 24:15).
They obeyed their father regarding their conduct. While the point of context was not the Rechabites' theology, nor were they particularly taking a theological stand on the use of alcohol, there was a reason given for not drinking wine. It was to make them good neighbors and guests (cf. 35:7). There are moral overtones in the decision.
The point of Jeremiah finding the Rechabites and test them over the wine was to show that this people was obedient to their earthly father, but Judah was disobedient to their Heavenly Father. Thus, God would punish Judah for their rebellion (35:17). As for the Rechabites, because they obeyed their father, "therefore thus [said] the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: 'Jonadab the son of Rechab [should] not lack a man to stand before [God] forever'" (35:19). God has shown us how He blesses submissive obedience and how He punishes selfish rebellion. Here, He illustrates the point through the respectful Rechabites.
Neal Pollard
Get a wide variety of Bible commentary and Bible study materials at http://www.abiblecommentary.com today. There are even FREE text sermons - http://www.abiblecommentary.com/freesermons, FREE audio sermons - http://www.abiblecommentary.com/audiosermon, and a FREE on-line commentary on the book of Romans: http://bit.ly/3MRU5I.
The latest commentary on First Corinthians is now ready; this book is very thorough but very easy to use. Get your copy of First Corinthians today by using this secure PayPal link: http://bit.ly/9hyC7M
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.