1. IDENTITY – WHO were the Rechabites? (Jeremiah 35:1-6)

Jeremiah was an Old Testament prophet. The Lord had him do a lot of strange things in his lifetime. All of them were object lessons to prove a point to the Israelites. He ministered during a time when the southern kingdom of Judah was precariously close to being invaded, taken over, and eventually exiled by the Babylonians. In Jeremiah 35:1-6, the Lord commanded Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites to a “chamber in the house of the Lord” and give them wine to drink. All of them said they will not drink wine.

The Rechabites are not Israelites but were assimilated among them. Rechab was a Kenite, related to the Midianites (Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law). They were nomads (tent dwellers). They adhered to a lifestyle that went “against the tide” starting with their forefather (grandfather or father) Jonadab.

As those who belong to the family of God, we follow Jesus’ example of where to anchor our identity. Jesus identified so closely with God the Father (Luke 2:49). When we give our lives to Jesus, His Father becomes our Father. We become part of the ultimate incredible family (1 John 3:1)!

IDENTITY: Anchored on Christ

2. INTEGRITY – WHY were they so different? (Jeremiah 35:7-10)

Integrity is more than just honesty. Integrity means we are a whole person. We are the same person outside and inside the home. We live a principle-centered life consistently. In our context, the principles we live by are based on God’s principles.

The Rechabites lived a principle-centered life. Aside from not drinking wine, there is a host of other things that Jonadab said that this family will live by (vv.7-10). Part of what was passed on to the next generation is the assurance that they may live long. They never forgot the promise. They knew that there is blessing in obedience.

What principles from the Rechabites translated through the Word of God can we learn and apply in our own lives?

• I will give God full control of my life by being filled with His Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:12)

• This world is not my home, so I will not be attached to anything in it. (1 Chronicles 29:15)

• I will love God instead of the things and ways of this world. (1 John 2:15-16)

• I will love God by obeying Him. (1 John 5:2-3)

INTEGRITY: Anchored on God’s Word

3. INHERITANCE – WHAT did God have to say about them? (Jeremiah 35:12-17) 

What God thinks of us is important.

This is the heart of God: He was telling His people that His desire for them is to bless them. He wanted them to enjoy His blessing. The problem is that the people don’t listen. They did not bother to listen to what He has to say (vv.12-17).

He had this to say to the Rechabites: they listen to their earthly father. As for the Israelites: I am your Father yet you don’t listen to me.

What will God say about us?. 

INTEGRITY: Anchored on God’s Word

God’s greatest blessing came through families (Abraham in Genesis 12:3, Isaac in Genesis 26:4, Jacob in Genesis 28:14). But the greatest blessing is Jesus (John 3:16). Let God bless you first, then go make your family a blessing