Good morning!
Text: Jeremiah 34-36; Isaiah 22
The story of the Rechabites in Jeremiah 35 is interesting. This clan was a puritan protest group that pursued a nomadic life and had forsaken wine. The Lord tells Jeremiah to go to them and offer them wine. The Rechabites refuse, citing the commitment their father Jonadab had made. The Lord blesses their steadfast refusal to break their covenant:
But to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father and kept all his precepts and done all that he commanded you, therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me.” (Jeremiah35:18-19)
This tale is set amidst the serious indictments of the tribe of Judah for failing to keep the covenant. The contrast is stark – The tribe of Rechab keeps covenant, Judah does not.
Our God keeps His promises – He is a God of covenant commitment. He expects His people to do likewise, and rewards covenant keeping handsomely. So, here’s a challenge: Ever break a promise? I have. Is there something you might do today to make a broken promise right and honor it? The Lord blesses such things!
in Him, Mike