The Dolores star., 1919-10-31

INTERMEDIATE TOPlC-Tho clean
strong life.
SENIOR AND ADULT ToPIc-our per.
sonal responsibility for temperance re-
form
I. The Reehabites 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 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
rnelites for their lack Of obedience.
Jonndab. the father of the Rechabites.
was only 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 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 to overcome.
u. The FiIiaI Loyalty Of the Recha-
bites wv. 6-11).
Though they We're out of their own
country, In the midst OF 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 DsIoyaIty of the
IsraeIites 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 obe-
dent, though their father was dead
long ago. He also reminded them that
lie 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 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: Q) The Rechabites were
obedlent to one who was but man;
the Jews disobeyed the infinite and
eternal God. (2) Jonadab was dead
long since and could not know of their
disoyalty or correct them from 1t. 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 n 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 ". 17).
God declared that he would bring
judgment upon them according to what
he had said. Judgment is determined
upon those who dsobey and rebel
against God.
v. Reward Of the Rechabites for
Their Loyalty wv. 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-
warded.