The Recabites (Rechabites)

DAY 57
Jeremiah 33:23 - 47:7

In the midst of the judgement and destruction located in Jeremiah, there is a brief interlude about a faithful group of people. An example to you and me concerning a family of obedience and the blessings on that family that God provides.

It is the story of the Recabites in Jeremiah 35.

The Recabites, were descendants of the Kenites (1 Chron 2:55).
The Kenites were descended from Moses father-in-law (Judges 1:16).
Jehonadab (Jonadab), son of Recab, helped Jehu, King of Israel, destroy the prophets and temple of Baal. (2 Kings 10:15-28).
Another son of Recab, Malkijah, helped rebuild the temple walls after the Babylonian captivity (Neh 3:14)

From what little we do have about the Recabites, a definite pattern emerges about their faithfulness. Jeremiah has constantly called Judah back to repentance, to turn from their ways or to face the correction of God. Apparently fear wasn't working. Therefore, the Lord used Jeremiah and the Recabites to show them their shame and disobedience.

Jeremiah 35:13b--16

‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the Lord. ‘Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons 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. Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, “Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your fathers.” But you have not paid attention or listened to me. The descendants of Jonadab son of Recab have carried out the command their forefather gave them, but these people have not obeyed me.’

So the Recabites had been more faithful to their forefather's commands than the Israelites had been to God and his prophets. Because the Israelites did not listen, then Judah and Jerusalem would suffer every disaster pronounced against them.

Since the Recabites had been faithful, they would never fail to have someone serve God.

We can learn a little bit from the story of the Recabites. The first is that the Word of God teaches that there are consequences for disobedience. Now, I don't think that is suprising to most people. But, I do believe we forget that there are consequences for our actions. Not only for ourselves, but for our families as well.

The proof of that would be to look at the state of marriage in America. As a nation our warped priorities and sinful actions have affected the state of marriage, so that almost half of all marriages end in divorce. What is worse, is that even for church-goers, the statistics don't lag much farther behind. As we have drifted into a self-centered culture that places more importance on the individual instead of God, we are reaping the consequences of our actions.

The second lesson is this: that there are blessings for obedience. There is an interesting fact about this blessing that is different than many made in the Old Testament. This one happens not to be conditional. Because a family decided to obey their forefathers (who were faithful to God), the descendants of that family would always have someone serve God.

It works in a similar manner today. I know that through God's providence and design, I have had family that were faithful to God. Because of their actions, descendants in their families, inlcuding me, have served God. It may have been the same in your family. The responsibility is yours and mine to continue that blessing, to train our families in obedience to God.

If not, you can start a blessing for generations to come (or until the Lord returns). You could be the Jonadab, son of Recab, for your family. You could sow the seed of faithfulness and obedience to God, which is one of the greatest inheritances you could give.

May we continue the example of the Recabites to a world that looks a lot like Judah.