The Elbert County tribune., 1919-10-31
!. The ReehabItes Tested wv. 1-5).

!. The Rechabites Tested wv. 1-o).
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 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
filial obedience put to shame the Is
raelites for their lack of obedience.
Jonadab. the father of the Rechabites.
was only a man, but the one 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 can have character through test
Ing. 1t was for this reason that God
placed Adam and Eve In Eden and per-
mitted 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 FiIiaI Loyalty of the Recha-
bites wv. GID.
Though they were out of their own
country, In the midst of Il foreign peo-
pie. they refused to drink wine, declar-
ing that they had beeH 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.
IN. The Loyalty Of the Rechabites In
Contrast With the DisloyaIty Of the
Israelites (vv. 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 obe-
dent. 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 (vv.
10. 16). When the people failed to rem
der obedience to God he sent 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 n 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 never put in mind of their
obligations. but God sent his prophets
who rose up early to remind them az
Jonadab left the charge. but no estate
to bear the charge; but God gave the
people goodly land and blessed them
in 1t. (5) God never tied up his people
to any hard task like Jonadab did, yet
Gods people disobeyed him and the
Rechabites 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 ReehabItes for
Their Loyalty wv. 1S, 19).
Because they had been true to the
commands of Jonadab they should
have continued representation before
God. God has such regard for filIai
obedience that he let's no act 20 upre-
warded.