August 10

Jehonadab was a devoted follower of God. He exhibited the same insight as the men of Issachar, who had been praised for understanding the times they lived in and knowing the best course for Israel to take (I Chronicles 12:32). Jehonadab looked at how evil the culture had become around him and insisted on removing his family and any others interested in doing the same from that influence (I Corinthians 15:33). He formed a group called the Recabites, named after his father, Recab. Though they were a part of this world, Jehonadab did not want them adapting the world’s wicked ways (John 17:13-19), so Jehonadab called them to renounce worldly ways. These people all took a vow never to drink wine or to settle down in any one place and build houses or plant crops (Jeremiah 35:6-10). For 200 years they had kept this vow. And now, when the Aramean and Babylonian armies threatened the land of Israel, they had moved to Jerusalem, hoping they would find safety in the capital city of God’s people.
While they are living in Jerusalem, God sends Jeremiah to them with a test. Invite them to the Temple and offer them cups of wine to drink (35:1-4). Jeremiah did as God had commanded and the Recabites refused to break their vow. “No,” they said. “We don’t drink wine, because Jehonadab son of Recab, our ancestor, gave us this command: ‘You and your descendants must never drink wine. And do not build houses or plants 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 since then, 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” (35:6-10).
Unlike the rest of the Israelites, the Recabites were still faithfully following a command given one time by their leader, 200 years earlier. Contrast that with the Israelites who had been told many times by God to repent of their sins and yet, they continually ignored Him. Consequently, while the Recabites would be rewarded for their faithfulness and obedience, the Israelites would receive the just punishment their arrogance and disobedience deserved.
God has spoken to each of us many times through other people, through things we read in His Word, and through events that have taken place in our lives. His kindness and patience are for the purpose of giving us all the opportunity we need to turn to Him (Romans 2:4). Have we ignored him like the Israelites? Or, have we obeyed Him like the Recabites?