Scripture
"Jehonadab son of Rekab ordered his descendants not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me." (Jeremiah 35:14 )
Observation
There’s nothing that blesses my heart more than when my kids choose to obey. Likewise, there’s nothing that frustrates me more than when I have to tell them the same thing over and over and over again, and they still don’t do it. Don’t they know that I only want what’s best for them, don’t they know how much joy they bring me when they obey, and don’t they know how much I want to grant them special gifts and privileges when they are committed to doing the right thing? Obedience seems like the easy, obvious choice, right? Yet, even at this moment, I feel the prompting of my Heavenly Father saying, don’t you know how I only want what’s best for you, don’t you know how much joy your obedience brings me, and don’t you know I want to grant you blessings but you still choose to disobey? Obedience is what God searches for, and today He used the story of the Rekabites to remind me how important being committed to obedience truly is.
The Rekabites are a rather obscure people that aren’t spoken about much in the Bible, but here in Jeremiah 35 they are blessed and honored by God for their commitment to obedience. Jehonadab who lived generations prior to this passage ordered his people to not drink wine. This and a few additional rules were made, which may seem slightly peculiar, yet for decade upon decade the people chose to obey. The command was given once and it was followed without compromise. God then turns His attention to the people of Judah and Jerusalem, and a stark contrast and stern condemnation are issued. “But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me.”
Application
Am I committed to obedience?
Do I have the heart of the Rekabites that understands the value and importance of obeying, even if/when the rules and requirements don’t quite make sense? Now, I don’t know if they questioned the rules, I don’t know if they didn’t like the rules, but I do know they chose to obey and because of that they would be honored by God.
Or does my heart look more like the people of Judah and Jerusalem that needed constant reminders, and yet still didn’t follow? Do I only choose to obey when it’s convenient, or easy, and it takes little effort?
God desires my obedience and reminds me that He wants what’s best, that my obedience brings Him joy, and that it unlocks His promises and blessings.
What has God asked me to do, possibly over and over again, that I continue to ignore and disobey?
Prayer
Jesus, please forgive me for not always being completely committed to obedience. Help me to learn from the Rekabites that I might develop a steadfast commitment to doing what’s right. May I not let my emotions, or circumstances, or temptations sway me from complete obedience to You. Thank You for Your grace, and may I never take it for granted. In Your name, Amen
