17Therefore, thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered.”
18But to the house of the Rechabites Jeremiah said, “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father and kept all his precepts and done all that he commanded you,
19therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me.”
Jeremiah presented a stark contrast between the Rechabites and the other Israelites. One was obedient to the commands of their ancestors to refrain from wine, not plant crops and live in tents while the other was disobedient to all the commands given to them by the prophets God sent to them to turn away from worshipping idols and serving the gods of the other nations. One would be rewarded forever, and the other would be conquered by the Babylonians and taken into captivity, losing everything they had been given. The Rechabites honored their ancestors by obeying the commands given to them. One of the10 commands was to honor your father and mother that you may live a long life in the land. The honor they gave to their ancestors was noted by God and they received a wonderful promise. The Israelites did not listen or obey the many prophets God sent to them and dishonored God through their worship of other gods. Obedience is always rewarded and demonstrates that we honor God and his word. Disobedience invites disaster.
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