Cleveland County herald., 1919-10-30
l. The Rechabites Tested (vv. 1-5l.


 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 man, but the one whose commands Israel were diSregarding was the Almighty God, their Creator and Savior. It is Gods plan that every man be tested. Being a free agent he only can have character through test ing. It was for this reason that God placed Adam and Eve in Eden and per nltted 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.
 II. The FiIiaI Loyalty of the Recha- bites (vv. GID.
 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 chfl- dren. It Is fine thing when children keep in memory their fathers and rem der obedience to their commands.
 Ill. The Loyalty of the Rechabites in Contrast With the DisIoyaIty of the israeites (vv. 12-16).
 l. The appeal (vv. 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- 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 (vv. 15, 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 cates the points of contrast somewhat as follows: 1) The Rechabites were obedent to one who was but a man; the Jews disobeyed the infinite and eternal God. CD 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. (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 RechabiteS obeyed their father.
 W. Judgment Upon the Jews for Dis- obedience (v. I'D.
 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 Rechabites for Their Loyalty (vy. IS, 19).
 Because they had been true to the commands of Jonadab they should have continued representation before God God has such regard for filial obedience that he lets no act go unre-