Daily Devotions
Jeremiah
"Will you not receive instruction to obey My words?"
Text: Jeremiah 35:13
A SAD WORD TO JUDAH
The commitment of the Rechabites to their father Jonadab was deeply moving. The LORD sent a word to Judah through Jeremiah.
“Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying,
‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:
‘Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
‘Will you not receive instruction to obey My words?’ says the LORD.
‘The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab,
which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed;
for to this day they drink none, and obey their father’s commandment.
But although I have spoken to you,
rising early and speaking, you did not obey Me.”'”
Jeremiah 35:12-14
1. “Then came the word of the LORD to Jeremiah, saying”
a) Did the LORD hear the testimony of the Rechabites?
Yes!
b) This word to Judah and Jerusalem arose from the testimony given to Jeremiah.
2. “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel:
‘Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem,
‘Will you not receive instruction to obey My words?’ says the LORD'”
a) This word was given formally.
b) Two titles of God were employed.
i) The LORD of hosts
ii) The God of Israel
iii) These titles carried great authority and power.
c) The word was to be given:
i) To the men of Judah.
ii) To all who lived in Jerusalem.
d) The challenge:
i) Would they not receive instructions?
ii) Would they not obey?
3. “The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab,
which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed;
for to this day they drink none, and obey their father’s commandment.
But although I have spoken to you, rising early and speaking, you did not obey Me”
a) The words of Jonadab given to his sons:
They were to refrain from drinking wine.
b) The Rechabites obeyed this word faithfully.
c) This was in direct contrast to Judah and Jerusalem.
i) The LORD Himself had spoken,
ii) God had spoken to them faithfully.
iii) But there had been disobedience all this while.