Let the Praises Ring, In Control, Heart of Our Home, Good Good Father, I Speak Jesus

Whose family do you find “most incredible” that you hope your family will follow after?

18 Then Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, “Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, ‘Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father, kept all his commands and done according to all that he commanded you; 19 therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me always.”’”

The greatest threat to the family today is idolatry of self—the most dangerous form of idolatry. The external threats are just taking advantage of the fact that there is a problem on the inside. It started in Genesis 3:4-5.

God’s original design for the family is to be a blessing within and to others. You can make a positive impact on your spouse and children (for spouses and parents); parents, siblings, and other relatives (for young and adult children); and on your spiritual family (for all followers of Jesus).

How do we make our family a blessing based on the example of the Rechabites?

1. IDENTITY – WHO were the Rechabites? (Jeremiah 35:1-6)

Jeremiah was an Old Testament prophet. The Lord had him do a lot of strange things in his lifetime. All of them were object lessons to prove a point to the Israelites. He ministered during a time when the southern kingdom of Judah was precariously close to being invaded, taken over, and eventually exiled by the Babylonians. In Jeremiah 35:1-6, the Lord commanded Jeremiah to bring the Rechabites to a “chamber in the house of the Lord” and give them wine to drink. All of them said they will not drink wine.

The Rechabites are not Israelites but were assimilated among them. Rechab was a Kenite, related to the Midianites (Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law). They were nomads (tent dwellers). They adhered to a lifestyle that went “against the tide” starting with their forefather (grandfather or father) Jonadab.

As those who belong to the family of God, we follow Jesus’ example of where to anchor our identity. Jesus identified so closely with God the Father (Luke 2:49). When we give our lives to Jesus, His Father becomes our Father. We become part of the ultimate incredible family (1 John 3:1)!

What are the implications when we anchor our identity in Christ?

IDENTITY: Anchored on Christ

2. INTEGRITY – WHY were they so different? (Jeremiah 35:7-10)

Integrity is more than just honesty. Integrity means we are a whole person. We are the same person outside and inside the home. We live a principle-centered life consistently. In our context, the principles we live by are based on God’s principles.

The Rechabites lived a principle-centered life. Aside from not drinking wine, there is a host of other things that Jonadab said that this family will live by (vv.7-10). Part of what was passed on to the next generation is the assurance that they may live long. They never forgot the promise. They knew that there is blessing in obedience.

What principles from the Rechabites translated through the Word of God can we learn and apply in our own lives?

• I will give God full control of my life by being filled with His Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
• This world is not my home, so I will not be attached to anything in it. (1 Chronicles 29:15)
• I will love God instead of the things and ways of this world. (1 John 2:15-16)
• I will love God by obeying Him. (1 John 5:2-3)

INTEGRITY: Anchored on God’s Word

3. INHERITANCE – WHAT did God have to say about them? (Jeremiah 35:12-17)

What God thinks of us is important.

This is the heart of God: He was telling His people that His desire for them is to bless them. He wanted them to enjoy His blessing. The problem is that the people don’t listen. They did not bother to listen to what He has to say (vv.12-17).

He had this to say to the Rechabites: they listen to their earthly father. As for the Israelites: I am your Father yet you don’t listen to me.

What will God say about us?

INHERITANCE: Anchored on pleasing God

4. INTEGRATION – HOW can we apply these principles so our families can be a blessing? (Jeremiah 35:18-19)

Bible commentators estimate the gap from Jonadab (800++ BC) to Jaazaniah (600++ BC) from anywhere from 240 to 250 years, at least 6 generations. They never forgot who their father was and what he told them. Jeremiah 35:18-19 is the blessing to the Rechabites. God blessed their family so that they will always have people who will know, love, believe, and serve Him.

How do we translate that today in our family situations?

God’s greatest blessing came through families (Abraham in Genesis 12:3, Isaac in Genesis 26:4, Jacob in Genesis 28:14). But the greatest blessing is Jesus (John 3:16). Let God bless you first, then go make your family a blessing

Is your identity in Christ? How can you help your family find their identity in Christ?

Are you living a life of integrity, i.e. obeying God’s word in all aspects of life? How can you help your family do the same?

What inheritance will your family leave behind, i.e. what do you want God to say about your family?

4. What will you do today to integrate what we learned into your family culture?

Pray for family members to have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Attend to their needs. Serve them.

Share the gospel with at least one of them this week and start the process of making your family a blessing!

• Worship God for who He is, what He has done, and what He will do in our lives.

• Upright and moral governance of public servants; repentance and salvation for government leaders and citizens for a Christ-centered Philippines.

• God’s help and comfort for the Sudanese people caught in violence and conflict.

• War in Ukraine to end, loss of lives prevented; tension in East Asian and Middle East countries to stop.

• Continue to pray for the rest of Israeli hostages to be restored back to their families safely. Pray for Israel and the war with terrorists to end according to God’s purpose and for His glory.

• For the recent political and social upheaval in the US to result in spiritual awakening in the church and a great spiritual harvest.

• That CCF Members would honor and love God and make disciples.

• Elders, pastors, dleaders, and families (holy, humble, harmonious, happy, heart-working).

• Ministries and churches expansion worldwide.

• Worship and Training Center

• Prayer Mountain

• Deeper intimate relationship with God.

• Righteous living.

• Salvation of family and friends.

therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, “Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me always.”’”