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Prophets and Kings
To illustrate the importance of yielding implicit obedience to the
requirements of God, Jeremiah gathered some Rechabites into one of
the chambers of the temple and set wine before them, inviting them
to drink. As was to have been expected, he met with remonstrance
and absolute refusal. “We will drink no wine,” the Rechabites firmly
declared, “for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us,
saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons forever.”
“Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, Thus saith
the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and
the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken
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to My words? saith the Lord. The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab,
that he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for
unto this day they drink none, but obey their father’s commandment.”
Jeremiah 35:6, 12-14
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God sought thus to bring into sharp contrast the obedience of the
Rechabites with the disobedience and rebellion of His people. The
Rechabites had obeyed the command of their father and now refused
to be enticed into transgression. But the men of Judah had hearkened
not to the words of the Lord, and were in consequence about to suffer
His severest judgments.
“I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking,” the Lord
declared, “but ye hearkened not unto Me. I have sent also unto you all
My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying,
Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings,
and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land
which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined
your ear, nor hearkened unto Me. Because the sons of Jonadab the son
of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which
he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto Me:
therefore thus saith the Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I
will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the
evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto
them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they
have not answered.”
Verses 14-17
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When men’s hearts are softened and subdued by the constraining
influence of the Holy Spirit, they will give heed to counsel; but when
they turn from admonition until their hearts become hardened, the