Faithful Recabites

12 Then the Lord gave this message to Jeremiah: 13 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: Go and say to the people in Judah and Jerusalem, ‘Come and learn a lesson about how to obey me. 14 The Recabites do not drink wine to this day because their ancestor Jehonadab told them not to. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you refuse to obey me.15 Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you, “Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you would not listen to me or obey me. 16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Recab have obeyed their ancestor completely, but you have refused to listen to me.’

- Jeremiah 35

During this time, GOD was sending the prophet Jeremiah to prophecy against Israel. But Israel wouldn't listen because they still feel strong and able, like nothing can stop them. They haven't experienced the destructions that the prophets have been warning them will happen and so their hearts remained hard and unfearful. This is how calloused their hearts have become because of sin. Many prophets before Jeremiah have already prophesied to Israel of her coming disaster for they have been sinning against the LORD. GOD's mercy and faithfulness has brought Israel warning after warning before HE does what HE has been intending to do against Israel. Still they would refuse to listen. 

Then GOD uses comparison to let the people of Israel understand what HE felt. HE illustrated about the ways of the Recabites and how they have been faithful to obey their ancestor. It pleased GOD that even though it was just an ancestor instructing them not to drink wine, they have been diligently faithful to keep what their ancestor had said to them. Isn't it such a great honor to be praised by GOD before men? As simple as not drinking wine has caused GOD to honor the Recabites before the Israelites. What vows have you made before the LORD? The LORD requires us to worship Him alone, not to have any other gods and to always do what is right. Is this a thing so difficult to do? Let us learn from the faithful Recabites.