The Rechabites

Monday, August 23, 2010: Jeremiah 35:1 – 2 (NKJV)

The word which came to Jeremiah from the Lord in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, saying, “Go to the house of the Rechabites, speak to them, and bring them into the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers, and give them wine to drink.”

Background: Israel worshipped idols in violation of the first and second commandments God gave them.

What could have happened to the Rechabites? Drunk in God’s temple.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010: Jeremiah 35:6 – 7 (NKJV)

But they said, “We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us, saying, ‘You shall drink no wine, you nor your sons, forever. You shall not build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard, nor have any of these; but all your days you shall dwell in tents, that you may live many days in the land where you are sojourners.’

What did Jonadab the son of Rechab tell his children to do? Abstain from wine and trust God’s provision so that they live long in the promised land.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010: Jeremiah 35:8 – 10 (NKJV)

Thus we have obeyed the voice of Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, in all that he charged us, to drink no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, or our daughters, nor to build ourselves houses to dwell in; nor do we have vineyard, field, or seed. But we have dwelt in tents, and have obeyed and done according to all that Jonadab our father commanded us.

What did the children of Rechab do? They faithfully obeyed their forefather’s command.

Thursday, August 26, 2010: Jeremiah 35:11 (NKJV)

But it came to pass, when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, that we said, ‘Come, let us go to Jerusalem for fear of the army of the Chaldeans and for fear of the army of the Syrians.’ So we dwell at Jerusalem.”

But what were they doing now? Without disobedience and still faithful, they lived within the safety of the walls of Jerusalem.

Friday, August 27, 2010: Jeremiah 35:18 – 19 (NKJV)

And Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts and done according to all that he commanded you, therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me forever.”’”

What was God’s reward to the Rechabites? Their family name would never perish from the world. More importantly, children are God’s gifts to the obedient. This doesn’t mean that the opposite will be true: if you disobey, you will not have children.

Salvation through Faith

Monday, March 22, 2010: 2 Timothy 3:15

and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Background: Paul writes concluding words to Timothy in a letter.
What sequence is faith brought through as? The sequence is Knowledge of Scripture — Wisdom — Salvation — Faith in Christ Jesus.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010: Matthew 4:17

From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” and…

Mark 1:14–15

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
What is the first step? If you think you are good and don’t need repentance, you will never accept the gospel nor enter the kingdom of heaven.

Wednesday, March 24, 2010: Ephesians 2:8–9

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Is Salvation earned by good works? Never! Salvation is a gift from God that you accept by faith or reject.

Thursday, March 25, 2010: Romans 3:21–22

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference
What does no difference refer to? All people, Jews and Gentiles alike can get God’s righteousness apart from the law and by believing in Christ’s work.

Friday, March 26, 2010: Romans 3:23–24

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
What does ‘freely’ mean? It is without cost to us but it coasted the Son of God.