Jeremiah 35:4-5 I brought them into the house of the Lord….Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the Rekabites and said to them, “Drink some wine.”
In literature we talk a lot about juxtaposition, contrast. That is exactly what is set up in this chapter. God uses the behavior of the Rekabites, who are obedient to all that their forefather told them, to contrast the behavior of the Israelites, who repeatedly ignored the commands of God Himself.
Jeremiah 35:6 But they replied, “We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine.’
It would be so easy to think the Israelites idiots for ignoring the obvious—God’s command—but when I am honest with myself, I see I do it, too. God tells me to love others as He loves me. He tells me to show mercy and compassion. Sometimes I do a really good job of it. Sometimes I fail miserably.
Jeremiah 35:8 We have obeyed everything our forefather Jehonadab son of Rekab commanded us….
Lord, Thank You for the birth of Your Son, the Light of the world. Thank You for love, mercy, compassion, second chances. Help me to listen, to hear, to obey, even when I don’t feel like it, even when it’s difficult. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
Jeremiah 35:12-13 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying: “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, ‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the Lord.
Have a blessed day.