Even the world has standards. Jeremiah makes an illustration from the Rechabites that the Lord’s people don’t follow His standards. The world looks to see what standards we hold on to and makes an assessment. May we be faithful ambassadors for Christ.
Jeremiah 35: The Obedience of the Rechabites
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah:
2 "Go to the house of the Rechabites and speak with them and bring them to the house of the LORD, into one of the chambers; then offer them wine to drink."
3 So I took Jaazaniah the son of Jeremiah, son of Habazziniah and his brothers and all his sons and the whole house of the Rechabites.
4 I brought them to the house of the LORD into the chamber of the sons of Hanan the son of Igdaliah, the man of God, which was near the chamber of the officials, above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, keeper of the threshold.
5 Then I set before the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, "Drink wine."
6 But they answered, "We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, 'You shall not drink wine, neither you nor your sons forever.
7 You shall not build a house; you shall not sow seed; you shall not plant or have a vineyard; but you shall live in tents all your days, that you may live many days in the land where you sojourn.'
8 We have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he commanded us, to drink no wine all our days, ourselves, our wives, our sons, or our daughters,
9 and not to build houses to dwell in. We have no vineyard or field or seed,
10 but we have lived in tents and have obeyed and done all that Jonadab our father commanded us.
11 But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against the land, we said, 'Come, and let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and the army of the Syrians.' So we are living in Jerusalem."
12 Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
13 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Go and say to the people of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will you not receive instruction and listen to my words? declares the LORD.
14 The command that Jonadab the son of Rechab gave to his sons, to drink no wine, has been kept, and they drink none to this day, for they have obeyed their father's command. I have spoken to you persistently, but you have not listened to me.
15 I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, sending them persistently, saying, 'Turn now every one of you from his evil way, and amend your deeds, and do not go after other gods to serve them, and then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to you and your fathers.' But you did not incline your ear or listen to me.
16 The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me.
17 Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered."
18 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,
19 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."
Things to think about…
1. In Jer 35:1-16, Jeremiah is making a point when he offers wine to the descendants of Rechab. He knew they would not accept his offer to drink wine. In the NT we are told never to put a stumbling block before anyone. Is this hypocrisy in the scriptures where the Lord tells Jeremiah to do something that he knew the Rechabites would not agree with? Certainly not. The point is that these men obeyed their earthly father, why should the children of the Lord disobey their heavenly Father.
2. Jonadab the son of Rechab, Jer 35:6 was invited by Jehu back in 2Kings 10 to carry out the Lord’s judgement upon the house of Ahab. He was a mighty leader within that line of the family and his decree to not drink wine was honoured by all his descendants. Do you have family traditions that have been kept for generations? What value do you put on them? What about when it comes to the church, are there traditions that should be kept? If While some traditions are limiting to outreach, some are used by the Lord to reach the unsaved. I would consider Carols, Christmas and Easter services to be in this category.
3. These Rechabites have come into Jerusalem for protection because they only lived in tents and agreed never to own land. This is a symbol of our temporary status here on earth, we are just passing through. The church, as represented by Jerusalem, should be a protection from the world and be a place where we receive comfort, protection, accountability and truth. This is why the church needs to stay near the truth of God’s word. The Rechabites were honoured for their obedience and the Lord promised that they shall never lack a man to stand before Him”, Jer 35:19.
4. The Lord blesses the Rechabites for their stance, Jer 35:17-19, and He promises that they will never lack a man to stand before the Lord. Apparently, there was a tribe of Bedouins even into the 19th Century recorded that trace their lineage to Rechab. We know this family was blessed when they were taken to Babylon because they saw the Lord’s provision through these events. Has the Lord blessed and honoured you because of your stance upon a moral issue?
Vision Point for cell groups – Cell groups on break over the school holidays
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Sunday’s sermon “Let me boast a little” – reading 2Corinthians 12:1-10
1. Paul had a significant spiritual experience. He went into the third heaven. He saw and heard amazing things. What is the most intense spiritual encounter you have had with the Lord?
2. Paul listed off a whole heap of trials he had endured in 2Cor 11. What trials have you endured? Paul said he boasted in trials and weakness, because that is when God’s strength is shown, 2 Cor 12:10. How is it possible to boast in your weaknesses?
3. Paul was given a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble and not go into conceit and spiritual pride. He had lived a previous life as a Pharisee so he knew what spiritual pride was. This thorn wasn’t a pin prick, but more a tent peg. Why does God sometimes send Satan to us as He did to the Apostle Paul. Discuss this challenge.
4. If you can say “I believe in Jesus”, that is the most miraculous event that can happen in anyone’s life. Discuss.
Prayer Points
1. Continue to pray for Brett Dwyer and the Dunn household and others with this virus as they recover.
2. Ministries as they have started back.
3. That we see Christ even as Covid goes through the community.
4. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
5. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Brett Dwyer on the mend.
2. People returning to church as Covid is passing through the church and community.
3. And families who have recovered from Covid.
4. People encouraged by Sunday’s message.
5. Joy in our service, great times in the cafe.
6. Worship and technical team. Thanks Josh, Ben, iMan and Tim.
Announcements
1. Cell groups back. A new cell group has started at the church for residents around Karalee. This will start on Wed 7pm at church.
2. Kidz@Church every Sunday
3. Members Meeting after the service 27th Feb
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for February...
Q. 16. Who should partake of the Lord's Supper? A. Only those who repent of their sins, believe in Christ for salvation and live according to his word.
