The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1919-10-23
.. Tn. R.ehsbl,s. Tested wv. I.5,

Z. The Reehsbltes Tested wv. 1-5).
In the days Of JehoiakIm the Lord
charged Jeremiah 10 bring the Rechn-
bites into the house Of the Lord and test
them regarding the drinking Of wine
This he did In n 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
fllai obedience put 10 shame the Is
raelltes for their lack OF obedience.
Jonadab. the father Of the Rechabites
was only n man. but the one whose
commands Israel were dlsregsrding
was the Almighty God. their Creator
and Savior. II II Gods plan that every
man he tested. Being a free agent he
only can have character through test
ing. II 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 10 overcome.
~. The FiIIsl Loyalty OF the Reehs-
bites wv. GID.
Though they were out OF their own
country. In the midst OF n 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. II Is a fine thing when children
keep In memory their fathers and rem
der obedience 10 their commands.
~. The Loyalty OF the Peehsbites In
Contrast with the pisloyaity OF the
israe,tes wv. 12-i6).
I. The appeal wv. 10. iD. He made
the appeal on the basis OF the nliai
loyalty OF the Rechnbites. He remind
ed them that the Rechabites were ODE
dent. though their father was dead
long ago He also reminded them that
he had spoken to them In person. rising
up early 20 do so.
2. The ministry OF the prophets tvv.
rs, l0). 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: "a The Rechabltes were
obedient 20 one who was but man !;
the Jews disobeyed the infinite and
eternal God. (2) Jonndab was dead
long since and could not know OF their
disloyalty or correct them from IT, God
10 all-wise and lives forever and will
punish for disobedlence. (3) The Rech-
abites were never put In mind OF their
obligations. but God sent his prophets
who rose up early 90 remind them. (D
Jonadab left the charge. but no estate
TO bear the charge; but God gave the
people a goodly land and blessed them
In II. (b) God never tied up his people
20 any hard task like Jonadab did. yet
Gods people disebeyed him and the
RechRbites obeyed their father.
~. judgment Upon the Jews for DIE
obedience ". ~.
God declared that he would bring
judgment upon them according to what
he had said. Judgment is determined
upon those who dlsobey and rebel
against God.
v. Reward OF the Rechsbltss for
Their Loyalty wv. Is, 19).
Because they had been true 10 the
commands OF Jonadab they should
have continued representation before
God. God has such regard for fillal
obedience that he lets no act go unre-
warded