What We Can Learn From The Rechabites (2017)

What We Can Learn From The Rechabites

In the 35th chapter of the book of Jeremiah, we see Jehovah asking Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites into the house of Jehovah and give them wine to drink. Just what is going on here? What was Jehovah up to?

Jeremiah did as he was told, and brought the Rechabites into one of the dining rooms of the house of Jehovah, sat them down, and gave them wine to drink. But, instead of drinking, they respectfully refused. Why? Here is the explanation for their refusal in their own words: “We will not drink wine, because Je·honʹa·dab the son of Reʹchab, our forefather, gave us this command, ‘Neither you nor your sons must ever drink wine. And you must not build a house, sow seed, or plant or obtain a vineyard. Instead, you must always dwell in tents, so that you may live for a long time in the land where you are residing as foreigners.’ So we continue to obey the voice of Je·honʹa·dab the son of our forefather Reʹchab in all that he commanded us, by never drinking any wine—we, our wives, our sons, and our daughters. And we do not build houses to dwell in, nor do we have vineyards or fields or seed. We keep living in tents and obeying all that Je·honʹa·dab our forefather commanded us.” (Jer. 35:6-10)

Jehovah then speaks up and tells Jeremiah his reason for this test: to make a point about the Israelites’ utter lack of obedience. The Rechabites were loyal and obedient to their earthly father, and this pleased Jehovah to see such obedience. On the other hand, the Israelites flagrantly disobeyed their heavenly father Jehovah! Jehovah then tells Jeremiah to relay these words to the unfaithful Israelites: “Were you not continually urged to obey my words?...Je·honʹa·dab the son of Reʹchab commanded his descendants not to drink wine, and they have carried out his words by not drinking it to this day, thus obeying the order of their forefather. However, I have spoken to you again and again, but you have not obeyed me. And I kept sending all my servants the prophets to you, sending them again and again, saying, ‘Turn back, please, each of you from your evil ways, and do what is right! Do not walk after other gods and serve them. Then you will keep dwelling in the land that I gave to you and your forefathers.’ But you did not incline your ear or listen to me.” (Jer. 35:13-15) Jehovah was upset and extremely disappointed in his people.

But what of the Rechabites? How did Jehovah view them? He viewed them favorably, and he made this promise to them: “There will never fail to be a descendant of Je·honʹa·dab the son of Reʹchab to serve in my presence.” (Jer. 35:19) For their course of faithfulness to their forefather, Jehovah would make sure that their family line would continue.

This is a powerful lesson in obedience. The prophet Samuel, when rebuking Saul for his disobedience, had this to say: “Does Jehovah take as much pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Look! To obey is better than a sacrifice, and to pay attention than the fat of rams.” (1 Sam. 15:22) What Jehovah wants from us most is obedience: obedience to him, to his word, to his son Jesus. We are no longer required to offer up animal sacrifices, but we are required to offer up a sacrifice of obedience.

While this is the main point to be learned from this passage, I wonder if we could dig a little deeper. To that end, I would like to take a closer look at the proscription that Jehonadab placed upon his descendants.

First off, what was the reason behind the proscription? Jehonadab laid a command on his family to live in tents, not sowing seed, not planting vineyards, and not drinking wine, because they were alien residents in the land. By building a house, sowing seed, and planting and obtaining vineyards, they would be settling down, putting down roots...becoming as a natural resident of the land. The exact reason why he gave this command is not explicitly stated, but it is possible that he wanted them to have lives that were simple, not being tied down by houses, land, or possessions, able to move when necessary and to focus more on spiritual things.

Today, life has become anything but simple. Thanks to progress and technology, the world is moving ever faster, rushing headlong into the future...and into destruction. Like the Rechabites, we should do our utmost to be “no part of the world” (Joh. 15:19). Let us not build houses, sow seed, plant and obtain vineyards, let us not put down roots in a system of things that will soon be wiped out. Let us dwell in tents, let us not be weighed down by the things of this world, so that we may flee from the coming destruction, fleeing to the safety of Jehovah’s wings.

But then, what of the last commandment, namely, for them not to drink wine? Jehovah has not barred us from drinking wine. In fact, the Psalmist said that wine “makes man’s heart rejoice.” (Ps. 104:15) Wine is a gift from God. As long as it is consumed in moderation, and we are not drinking to drunkenness, then there is no harm in enjoying it. So why did Jehonadab tell his descendants not to drink it?

Wine is a type of alcohol, and alcohol is a depressant. While it often does invoke merriment, it also dulls the senses. Living in tents, as alien residents of the land, the Rechabites were better able to keep their senses. Avoiding wine would also help them to keep their senses and their focus. Jehovah does not ask us to refrain from drinking wine, but could we figuratively abstain? Could we avoid becoming drunk on the influence of the world around us? Could we become spiritual teetotalers, our focus squarely on Jehovah and his Kingdom?

To be as alien residents in these last days, to keep ourselves free from the intoxication and taint of the world and keep our wits about us...this is something we can all do, and something we should do. Let us therefore make up our minds to remain separate from the world, and to reflect again and again on the Rechabites’ course of obedience and how we can imitate it.