The event recorded in Jeremiah 35
happened in the days of King Jehoiakim, a son of Josiah. Jehoiakim’s other name
was Eliakim. After his father’s death, the people chose his brother Jehoahaz as
king over Judah. From 2 Chronicles 36, we learned that it was the Egyptian king
who had Jehoahaz deposed as king and put Eliakim whose name was changed to
Jehoiakim on the throne. It was during his reign that the event recorded in
Jeremiah 35 took place. Let’s examine the event and glean the lessons God has
for us through it.
The chapter speaks of a tribe of people known as the Rechabites. Who were the Rechabites? They were a nomadic tribe who were the descendants of Rechab, a Kenite hence, they were related to the Midianites. One well-known Midianite was Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law. Therefore, in one sense, they were related to the people of Israel distantly by marriage. In a way, their belief would be akin to the Israelites. From 2 Kings 10:15-17, during the time of King Jehu, Jehonadab (Jonadab) one of the descendants of Rechab helped Jehu to purge Baal worship introduced to Israel by the wicked Ahab and Jezebel. It was this Jehonadab, who had ordered the Rechabites to live a strict lifestyle. They were told not to drink wine, build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard, or own one. They were to dwell in tents all the days of their life. Hence, they had lived as nomads all their lives. Verse 11 tells us that when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against the land, the Rechabites said, ‘Come and let us go to Jerusalem before the army of the Chaldeans and before the army of the Arameans.’ And had been there since.
Instructed by the LORD, Prophet Jeremiah was to invite the Rechabites, bring them into one of the chambers in the temple and offer them wine to drink. When Jeremiah did as he was told, the response he had from the Rechabites found in verse 6 was, “We will not drink wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall not drink wine, you or your sons, forever.” What’s amazing about this was that Jehonabab had died 250 years ago, and they were keeping their promise to him. For more than two centuries, they had kept their word.
God then told Jeremiah to use the lives of the Rechabites to instruct His people a lesson on faithfulness. In contrast with the Rechabites, God's people in Judah had been unfaithful to Him persistently. Many times God had sent his servants to His people saying, “Turn now every man from his evil way and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to worship them. Then you will dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your forefathers….” But sadly they had turned a dead ear to Him and had not inclined their ears to listen to Him. Unlike the unfaithful Judean, the Rechabites were faithful, even to the word of their forefathers. Therefore God’s promise was that there would always be a descendant of Jehonadab who would stand before Him.
Here are two lessons on faithfulness. Firstly, like the Rechabites, we must be faithful people to God. We must obey and keep God’s instruction. We must not emulate Zedekiah and the people of Judah who had so quickly reneged on their promises. Zedekiah we are told in Jeremiah 34 went back on his words to Nebuchadnezzar. Later, he and the people went back on the covenant they made before God in the temple. They reverted and violated the covenant and did not free their slaves on the Sabbath Years. Whereas for more than two centuries, the Rechabites had shown themselves to be faithful people. They kept their promise to their forefather for more than two centuries. Even when tested, they turn down the offer to drink wine. We must make it our goal to be God’s faithful people, known for our integrity.
Secondly, we learn that when we remain faithful to God, there will always be a place for us in the presence of God. Isn’t this God’s promise of Psalm 15:1-2:
O LORD, who may abide in Your tent?
Who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and
works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart.
No comments:
Post a Comment