Jeremiah – Chapter 35

The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. Jeremiah 35:16 – In Judah at this time was a family known as the Rechabites. This family had an ancestor that laid down strict rules for his family to keep for all generations to come. Rules like drinking no wine, not to build houses or vineyards, but to live a nomadic lifestyle. Jeremiah then is told by the Lord to bring this family together and offer them wine to drink, something they were commanded by their ancestor not to drink. We see from the chapter that this family was willing to be obedient to the commands of their ancestor and choose not to drink the wine that was offered them. The point of this event was for the Lord to show Judah how obedience is possible. Here they had a family willing to obey strict commands for generations, even willing to remain obedient when the pressures were on, yet God’s people continually refused to obey Him. If people are willing to obey a fallible man, how much more should they obey the words of a perfect God? Let’s assess what things we are being obedient to today. What things are we willing to follow the direction of in our life? Are the words of a parent or politician words you would never stray from? Are there words you tell yourself that you keep to fiercely? While such words may be fine to follow, can we say we have that same passion to our obedience to what God says to us? If we’re willing to follow the words of someone who could be wrong, how much more should we be obedient to the words of a God who is never wrong? I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3265

Then I set before the Rechabites pitchers full of wine, and cups, and I said to them, “Drink wine.” 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.” Jeremiah 35:5-6 – Sometimes what God directs us to do conflicts with what man has told us to do. When that happens, we need to be willing to let go of man’s teachings and embrace what God is saying. In this passage, their obedience to man’s teaching was used as an example to show the disobedience of God’s people to His teachings. That won’t always be the case. There are things we follow and believe that aren’t in line with what God teaches. When our current beliefs are up against what God says through His Word, we need to have the sort of obedience to God to truly let go of that wrong belief and lean into what He says. This is what being a follower of God means. This is what it means to make Him your Lord. He sets up what’s right and wrong in your life, not you. Let God have that role in your story. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 954

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. Jeremiah 35:14 – Today’s chapter introduced us to a family that their father had given them a list of particular commands, one of which was to drink no wine, and even when tested they stayed true to the commands of their father. God then uses this family as an example of what His people should be like in relation to following the commands He gives them. How about for us? How faithful are we being to the commands God gives to us? Let’s even take this a step further, are we more faithful to worldly “father’s commands” than our Heavenly Father’s commands? Will you listen and obey the voice of your coach or boss more than you listen to the Lord? Does the rules given to you by your parents hold more sway than what God says in scripture when the two conflict? It boils down to us acknowledging that God is our ultimate authority. What He says goes, over every other voice. Does God have that place yet in your story? If not, be willing to ask the question of why is there a hesitation or hold up to allowing Him that position. When God speaks, those who have confessed their faith in Him should follow what He says. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2167