READ:
JEREMIAH 35:1-19
The story
of the Rechabites is a good example of obedience which every Christian parent
should desire for their children and wards. In Numbers 10:29-33, Moses who had
led God’s people out of Egypt into the wilderness invited his brother-in-law,
Hobab, to join them in their journey to the Promised Land. Initially he refused
but by the time Moses convinced him they needed him as a guide through the
wilderness, he agreed and followed them. From him came the Rechabites. Rechab,
a grandson of Hobab, raised his children in the ways of the Lord. He was a
strict disciplinarian who was able to sow the spirit of obedience into his
children which passed from generation to another.
One day, God put the descendants of Rechab to test. He asked prophet Jeremiah to place wine before them and to ask them to drink it. In other words, Jeremiah told them: ‘This is between me and you. Nobody else knows about it. Go ahead and drink wine.’ But they refused. Today, some Christians will use that as the excuse for sinning. If your pastor privately invites you to sin with him saying, ‘it is alright, God will forgive because afterall we are still in the flesh,’ does that transform a sinful act into a righteous one?
Exodus 23:2 says you should not allow a multitude to lure you into sin. Jesus says anyone who will cause you to sin, no matter how close they are, should be cut off (Matthew 5:29-30). God expects complete and immediate obedience from you. Half or partial obedience is not acceptable to God. King Saul’s obedience was taken as non-obedience because it was partial.
Similarly, some levels of obedience are timely. This means failing to obey at that material time causes you to miss the essence. Even if you agree to obey five minutes later, it is already too late. To what extent do you obey God today? The Rechabites earned an everlasting reward by their obedience. Thousands of years after, certain travellers have claimed to have met descendants of Rechab. About 25,000 families claiming to be from Rechab were seen in 1913 in Bassurah. God is faithful to His promise. How obedient are you to all that the Lord commands you? Each instance of obedience is a building block for a glorious tomorrow. Don’t miss any!
One day, God put the descendants of Rechab to test. He asked prophet Jeremiah to place wine before them and to ask them to drink it. In other words, Jeremiah told them: ‘This is between me and you. Nobody else knows about it. Go ahead and drink wine.’ But they refused. Today, some Christians will use that as the excuse for sinning. If your pastor privately invites you to sin with him saying, ‘it is alright, God will forgive because afterall we are still in the flesh,’ does that transform a sinful act into a righteous one?
Exodus 23:2 says you should not allow a multitude to lure you into sin. Jesus says anyone who will cause you to sin, no matter how close they are, should be cut off (Matthew 5:29-30). God expects complete and immediate obedience from you. Half or partial obedience is not acceptable to God. King Saul’s obedience was taken as non-obedience because it was partial.
Similarly, some levels of obedience are timely. This means failing to obey at that material time causes you to miss the essence. Even if you agree to obey five minutes later, it is already too late. To what extent do you obey God today? The Rechabites earned an everlasting reward by their obedience. Thousands of years after, certain travellers have claimed to have met descendants of Rechab. About 25,000 families claiming to be from Rechab were seen in 1913 in Bassurah. God is faithful to His promise. How obedient are you to all that the Lord commands you? Each instance of obedience is a building block for a glorious tomorrow. Don’t miss any!
MEMORIZE:
PROVERBS 1:10 –My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
