Tuesday July 14, 2105

Read Jeremiah 35

 God loves obedience. This is a fairly simple and obvious statement that has deep and profound implications. God loves obedience. It automatically implies that God hates disobedience. Just think for a moment about the other implications. If I choose to steal something, for example, I am doing something that God hates. I am causing God to be angry. If I choose to do something or say something that God has commanded I am causing God to be pleased. If I choose to lie, or lust, or swear, or deceive, I am making God angry. If I choose to help, to bless, or to give sacrificially, I am making God “happy”.

Today’s story regarding the Recabites highlights how much God loves obedience. Jeremiah is told by the Lord to bring the Recabite family to one of the side rooms in the Temple of the Lord. He is to offer them wine to drink. In obedience to the Word of the Lord, Jeremiah finds the Recabite family, brings them to the Temple and sets wine before them. He tells them to drink.

While most Aussies wouldn’t need a second invitation, the Recabite men reply respectfully to the man of God, (Jeremiah 35:6) ‘We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jonadab son of Recab gave us this command: ‘Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine…’ They quickly add, (Jeremiah 35:8) ‘We have obeyed everything our forefather Jonadab son of Recab commanded us. Neither we nor our wives nor our sons and daughters have ever drunk wine.’

The point of all this is clearly spelled out in vs12-14

Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying: 13 “This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, ‘Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?’ declares the LORD. 14 ‘Jonadab son of Recab ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather’s command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me.

God then pronounces judgement upon the people of Judah. Every disaster He pronounced upon them will indeed come upon them. But to the Recabites God promised that they would always have a man to serve the Lord. The obedient are blessed while the disobedient are cursed.

God loves obedience. When God commands His creation to act, speak or even think in a certain way, He loves, nay demands!!!, obedience.

As you and I hear or read the Word be it on Sonday mornings, during cell group and even in our own quiet times, let us come to the Word with a heart of obedience. As we read the Word let us always be asking ourselves, What does God want me to be doing?  What is God asking of me?

God loves obedience. Let’s strive to walk in obedience each and every moment of each and every day.

Prayer:

Using today’s Bible passage and notes write down points for

Adoration:

Confession

Thanks

Supplication:

· Pray for the ongoing work of Shiloh Church Ministries. Pray that God would provide for them so that they can teach the believers all the Jesus has commanded them to be doing.

· Pray for the pastors we support in the villages in India. Pray that these men would remain faithful to the Word and would teach it boldly, even in the face of persecution.

 Discussion Questions

1. Mariah has been telling lies in the church. When you confront her she says that she knows it’s wrong but this situation is different. How do you respond?

2. If Mariah refuses to listen to you, what should you do?

3. If step 2 fails, what do you do?