The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-10-30

]. The Rechabites Tested wv. 1-5).
In the days Of Jehoiakim the Lord
charged Jeremiah to bring the Recha-
bites into the house Of the Lord and test
them regarding the drinking Of wine.
This he did in a place where the people
might behold them, the aim being to
teach Israel by example. The father
of the Rechabites had given command
that they should not drink wine. Their
flial obedience put to shame the Is
raelites for their lack Of obedience.
Jonadab, the father of the R%echabites.
was only a man. but the n whose
commands Israel were disregarding
was the Almighty God, their Creator
and Savior. 1t is Gods plan that every
man be tested. Being a free agent he
only a have character through test
Ing. 1t was for this reason that God
placed Adam and Eve in Eden and per-
mttted the devil to test them. While
we should be concerned with the re-
moval of temptations from men, we
should be more concerned with teach
Ing them their responsibility and show
ing them how to overcome.
u. The FiIial Loyalty Of the Recha.
bites wv. 6-11).
Though they were out Of their own
country, in the midst of a foreign peo-
pie, they refused to drink wine, declar.
ing that they had been true to the in
struction of Jonadab all their lives.
Obedience to his instructions had been
practiced by all men, women and chill
dren. 1t is a fine thing when children
keep in memory their fathers and rem
der obedience to their commands.
III. The Loyalty Of the Rechabites In
Contrast With the DisloyaIty Of the
lsraeIites wv. 12-16).
/. The appeal wv. 13, 14). He made
the appeal on the basis of the filial
loyalty of the Rechabites. He remind
ed them that the Rechabites were ODE
dient, though their father was dead
long ago. He also reminded them that
he had spoken to them in person, rising
up early to do so.
2. The ministry Of the prophets wv.
Is, 16). When the people failed to rem
der obedience to God he sem to them
the prophets, who plead with them to
amend their ways by turning away
from their idols. Matthew Henry indi-
Gates the points of contrast somewhat
as follows: (1) The Rechabites were
obedient to one who was but q man ;
the Jews disobeyed the infinite and
eternal God. (2) Jonadab was dead
long since and could not know of their
%disloyalty or correct them from it. God
is all-wise and lives forever and will
punish for disobedience. (3) The Rech-
abites were new put in mind of their
obligations. but God sent his prophets
who rose up early to remind them. (4)
Jonadab left the charge, but no estate
to bear the charge; but God gave the
people a goodly land and blessed them
in it.. (5) God never tied up his people
to any hard task like Jonadab did, yet
Gods people disobeyed him and the
R%echabites obeyed their father.
~. Judgment Upon the Jews for Dis
obedience ". ~.
God declared that he would bring
judgment upon them according to what
he had said. Judgment is determined
upon those who disobey and rebel
against God.
v. Reward Of the R%echabites for
Their Loyalty wv. 10, 1917.
Because they had been true to the
commands of Jonadab they should
have continued representation before
God. God has such regard for flial
obedience that he lets no act go unre-
warded.