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sponse to these queries the prophet de clared that they should remain in Judah and should make their peace with Baby lon and thus avert further calamities. Contrary to his instructions, Johanan and the remnant of Jews who had gath ered back after the siege, went down into Egypt and dwelt at Tahpanhes, which was on the border of Egypt. They forced Jere miah to go with them. There are various traditions as to the end of the prophet’s life. He was one of the greatest prophets who ever lived. His life was very bitter but there was sweet ness and joy in his heart because of his consciousness of having been faithful to his God. Oh, that every minister of the Gospel would fearlessly proclaim the Word of God regardless of fear or favor! — o — June 9, 1929 The S tory of th e Rechabites Golden Text: “We drink no wine" (Jer. 35:6). Lesson Text: Jer. 35:1-19. L esson in O utline I. Historical Situation. II. Jeremiah’s Test of the Rechabites. Vs. 1-11. III. The Application of the Lesson to Is rael. Vs. 12-17. IV. Promise to the Rechabites. Vs. 18,19. — o — I. Historical Situation. '"THE Rechabites were a branch of the family of Kenites who became affili ated with Israel during the wilderness wanderings. They proved to be faithful tor of the Rechabites who are mentioned in this chapter, lived. From all of the available data it appears that Jonadab was a most faithful, God-fearing, and vir tuous man. He endeavored to carry out the Mosaic injunction in regard to teach ing his children morning and evening the great principles of life. It is not certain how much of the Word of God he taught them. It is, however, certain that he was a man of loyalty fo principle and that he had great influence upon his ow# house hold. The expression “He being dead yet speaketh" was verified in his life. Many great and godly men have lived and have thus impressed their children and started a wave of spiritual life and power that passed downward to succeed ing generations. As a notable illustration of this fact note the life of Jonathan Ed wards, one of America’s greatest philoso phers and preachers. The family history of this man is one of the most notable and outstanding in America. II. Jeremiah’s Test of the Rechabites. Vs. 1-11. Frequently the prophets enacted their messages before the people. Thus did Isaiah (Isa. 20). Likewise did Ezekiel (Ezekiel 4). allies of Israel, not only in the wilder ness but during the conquests of Canaan and thereafter. Approximately 300 years prior to the time of Jeremiah, Jonadab, the ances
It is quite an interesting study to in vestigate the names of the different Rech abites mentioned in this chapter. Their names indicate some providential work ings of God in human lives. Jeremiah was instructed to go to the house of the Rechabites and to bring them into the house of Jehovah to a certain chamber. The expression “the house of Jehovah” is the regular technical name of the temple in Jerusalem. The chambers to which reference is made are rooms which were built in connection with the temple court and which were used for storing treasures, offices, and quarters for the temple officials. When the sons of the house of the Rech abites were gathered in one of the chambers, the prophet set before them bowls full of wine, and drinking cups, and commanded them to drink wine. In re sponse to his command they promptly re plied, “We will drink no wine; for Jona dab the son of Rechab, our father, com manded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons, for ever', neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any; but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land wherein ye sojourn.” Moses commanded that chil dren should obey their parents. In the New Testament Paul re-emphasizes this same command (Eph. 6:1, 2) and adds that this is the first commandment with promise. There is likewise a duty which the parents have toward the children. It is quite evident that Jonadab had performed the duties of a really consecrated father to his children. He had so indoctrinated them with the principle of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors that they refused to touch a drop. Evidently Jonadab realized the curse of the drink habit. Not only did he realize this fact but he realized that with wealth comes luxury, ease, and indifference to God and duty. In order to forestall them against the deceitfulness of riches he gave them a solemn charge not to pursue such industries as would accumulate wealth. One of the greatest curses which ever came to the church of Jesus Christ came when Constantine became a nominal mem ber of the church and with it the persecu tion ceased. With the royal favor came unbounded wealth into the church. With the exemption from persecution, wealth and royal favor, came untold sins and corruptions which destroyed the spiritual life of the church. Thus began the dark ages, morally speaking, of the church of God. The Rechabites insisted that they had to obey the voice of their father in every thing in which he had given them instruc tion. They had been commanded of their father to dwell in tents—close to Nature and Nature’s God. Anticipating the state ment that they had failed to follow their father’s instruction, they told why they were not living in tents but were in Jeru salem at that time; namely, they had come there for protection at the time of the Chaldean invasion. This statement was sufficient reason and shows that they were true and faithful to their principles. III. The Application of the Lesson to Is rael. Vs. 12-17. From the house of the Rechabites Jere miah went forth and the Word of God came to him, charging him to go to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jem-
FRED S, SHEPARD 'S BLACKBOARD OUTL INE P E R I L ROTECTION RESERVATION Unto thee have I opened my cause.— Jer. 20 :12. and delivered him into their hands. In doing this he acted similarly to the way in which Pilate did when he wished to shift the responsibility of the death of Christ upon other shoulders. Thus he claimed that he was powerless. Words are in such instances empty. Each man is responsible before God for his own actions. At this crisis Ebed-melech, an Ethio pian, realized the inj ustice that was being done to the prophet, and interceded in be half of Jeremiah. Likewise he accused the prophet’s accusers of doing evil in that they had cast him into the dungeon and were seeking to cause his death. From the speech of Ebed-melech it seems as if the prophet had been cast the second time into the dungeon. Again the king s heart was touched by the wickedness of the princes and the innocency of the prophet. He gave order that the prophet should be removed from the dungeon. 2. Zedekiah. Jer. 38:14-28. When the prophet was delivered, the king again sought an interview^with him. In this interview he declared, "I mill ask thee a thing; hide nothing from jne." In response the prophet asked him, I f I de clare it unto thee, wilt thou not surely put me to death? and if I give thee coun sel, thou wilt not hearken unto me.” The king promised faithfully that he would not cause him to be put to death, but he gave no assurance that he would obey the Word of God. To obey is better than sacrifice. The prophet advised the king to go forth and to surrender to the king of Babylon and thus live. He also warned him that should he fail to do so the city would inevitably fall into the hands of the Chaldeans. In an impassioned speech he pleaded with the king thus to surrender in order to avoid the necessity of its un dergoing a further siege and b e i n g destroyed. To his implorings the king refused to yield. The secret interview closed with the king’s charging the prophet not to make known the subject of the conversation. III. Jeremiah Taken into Egypt with the Remnant. Jer. 43 :l-7. Finally the city was taken. Jeremiah and the army fled to Jericho, at which place the king was captured and taken to the king of Babylon at Riblah. His chil dren were slain before him and then his eyes were put out. After that he was car ried to Babylon. These occurrences were the literal fulfillment of prophecies which Jeremiah had uttered prior to this time. The fulfillment of the Word of God is absolute and positive proof that it is the very Word of God. Nebuchadnezzar placed Gedaliah upon the throne of Judah and he reigned in Mizpah. Ishmael conspired against him and slew him. The country was in open revolt. Johanan, together with the others, came to Jeremiah the prophet desiring to know what was the will of God. In re
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