Paul wrote, “Honor your father and mother” (Ephesians 6:2). Long before Paul, God showed the prophet Jeremiah a family who honored their father’s word.
An unusual visit. God said, “Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them, and bring them into the house of the Lord” (Jeremiah 35:2). Jeremiah brought the whole family into a room at the temple.
A test. God also told Jeremiah to “give them wine to drink” (35:2). Jeremiah set bowls and cups in front of them and said, “Drink wine” (35:5).
A clear answer. They said, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us” (35:6). They said no plainly.
Who was Jonadab? Jonadab was the father of their family line, an ancestor who had lived before them. They still called him “our father.”
A simple life. Jonadab told them not to build houses or plant vineyards. He said, “all your days you shall dwell in tents” (35:7).
The whole family. “Thus we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us” (35:8). The wives, the sons and the daughters all kept it.
No one watching. Jonadab was not there to check on them. They kept his word because they honored him.
When trouble came. When the army of Babylon came into the land, the family moved into Jerusalem to be safe (35:11). Even then, they kept Jonadab’s command.
Honor that remembers. They honored Jonadab by remembering his teaching and keeping it, year after year.
Small choices. Faithfulness grows in small choices made again and again. Each time the family kept Jonadab’s command, they honored him once more.
A good command. Jonadab’s command did not ask them to do anything wrong. God never wants a child to do something wrong or unsafe, even if a grown-up asks. If anyone does, tell a grown-up you trust.
Every family. Some children learn good things from a parent, and some from a grandparent or another caregiver. God can use any of them to pass on good teaching.
Sin, the cross and new life. None of us has kept God’s word perfectly. That is sin. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven.
What this means for you. Think of one good thing a grown-up who loves you has taught you, and keep it this week.
Paul wrote that the command to honor father and mother comes with a promise (Ephesians 6:2-3). God made a promise to the Rechabite family too.
A lesson for Judah. God told Jeremiah to ask the people of Judah, “Will you not receive instruction to obey My words?” (Jeremiah 35:13).
A family that listened. God said, “for to this day they drink none, and obey their father’s commandment” (35:14).
A people who did not listen. Then God said, “But although I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, you did not obey Me” (35:14).
Again and again. “Rising early and speaking” means God spoke to them again and again. He kept calling them to come back.
Prophets sent. God sent prophets who said, “Turn now everyone from his evil way” (35:15). God wanted His people to come home to Him.
Patient love. God did not give up on His people quickly. He kept sending His messengers because He loved them.
A sad warning. The people did not turn. God warned that trouble would come, “because I have spoken to them but they have not heard” (35:17).
God noticed. Then Jeremiah spoke to the Rechabites. God said, “Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father” (35:18).
The promise. “Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever” (35:19). There would always be someone from Jonadab’s family to serve God.
To stand before Me. It means to serve God, like a helper ready to do whatever the King asks.
God sees. God sees children and families who are faithful in small, everyday things.
Listening to God. The Rechabites listened to a father from long ago. We can listen to God, our Father in heaven, who speaks to us in His Word.
Sin, the cross and new life. Like Judah, we have not always listened to God. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again. Everyone who trusts Him is forgiven and welcomed.
What this means for you. When God’s Word tells you to do something this week, listen the first time. Ask Him to help you be faithful.
Complete all sections to finish!
Read each section and answer the questions correctly.