Articles
Spiritual Rechabites
Genealogies? Um…No.
One of the more difficult aspects of Bible study is when genealogies or family histories are detailed or play a key role in the unraveling of certain major biblical events. For an example, flip through the opening nine chapters of First Chronicles. Whew! Why on Earth did God include that section of Scripture? Many have debated as to whether or not these types of lists or details really even need to be studied. On one extreme, some suggest that the names were only important for the people at the time period under discussion or for the specific culture under discussion (typically, the Jews). On the other end of the spectrum are individuals who embark upon endless controversies or create highly imaginative mythological stories over genealogies (cf. 1Tim. 1:4; Titus 3:9).
Since all Scripture is inspired of God and is profitable, and since genealogies/lineages are often listed in the Bible, we do need to have some awareness of the point for which they are listed. Oftentimes, family histories in the Bible reveal great truths to us about our service to God. For instance, most of us are familiar with the fact that Jesus’ lineage is traced in two of the Gospels. We like to point out His royal lineage as well as His Abrahamic lineage and rightfully so. Making this connection is important to understanding the faithfulness of God in confirming two specific promises that capture the essence of the Old Testament story (Gen. 12; 2Sam. 7). I think we would all agree that Matthew and Luke’s record of Jesus’ lineage is helpful in many ways. Having now established this importance, let us analyze another, less familiar, example of a family history that gives us additional, profitable knowledge concerning the faithfulness of God.
Rechabites? Never Heard of Them.
I think most of us are familiar with the Levites and where they got their name. Some of us might even know offhand that the Ammonites and the Moabites were descendants of Lot. Sometimes though, names are less familiar. This is especially the case for the Rechabites. So who were they?
The Rechabites were of Kenite descent (cf. Judges 1:16; 1Chron. 2:55). Well thanks a lot Eric! That doesn’t help at all! Let’s get a little more specific then. The Rechabites descended from a man named Jehonadab. Jehonadab was a military participant in the purge of Ahab’s house (2 Kings 10) under the command of Jehu around 840 B.C. The name starting to sound familiar yet?
Ok…What Else Did They Do?
Jehonadab and the Rechabites played a vital role in eliminating one of the worst men in human history – Ahab. Keeping in mind that the cleansing of Ahab’s house took place in about 840 B.C., turn your Bible over to Jeremiah 35.
Jeremiah 35 is written approximately 200 years post-Jehu and post-Jehonadab. From this passage, we also see that Jehonadab established a pure lifestyle that all of his descendents were diligent to follow. He was a man of conviction and taught his children to be of the same mindset. Jeremiah is commanded to go to the Rechabites, bring them into the house of God, and offer them wine to drink. He obeys. The Rechabites decline the wine indicating that their father had given them an eternal commandment not to drink wine at all (verses 6-7). They further reveal that they had been careful to observe all that their father commanded them since the days in which he himself walked the Earth (verses 8-10).
The LORD then commands Jeremiah to go out to all the men of Judah and teach them the lesson of the Rechabites. The Rechabites were careful to observe all that their father commanded them, even though 200 years had passed since he had commanded it. They were steadfast and faithful. However, the men of Judah were unfaithful in light of continuous admonitions from God to repent. The Rechabites accepted instruction; Judah did not.
Learning the Lesson of the Rechabites
I hope that we would learn from this oft overlooked example. I recognize that we may not catch every detail of family connections at first, but I encourage us all to look at these examples and learn from all of God’s Scriptures.
The Rechabites serve as a beautiful illustration of mankind’s choice. God recognized the suitability of their example and demanded that the men of Judah recognize it. Faithfulness, repentance, and submission to the Father’s instruction results in blessing; the opposite results in death and destruction. Now look to yourself. Are you like the Rechabites or are you like the men of Judah? Are you faithful or obstinate? Will you gain life or will your wages be death? We decide whether we will be spiritual Rechabites. I’ve made my choice. What about you?
