In today’s passage there are three clear responses to God’s request. Only one of the three is rewarded, obviously that’s how we should act.
Do you ever look back at how you behaved in a particular situation and wonder why you reacted the way you did? Maybe you said something that you really didn’t mean, or became angry, or even thought something was hilariously funny….but now that you have a chance to reflect on it, your response didn’t fit the situation. Boy….. I’ve been there.
Our first reaction isn’t always the best one. When someone suggests a way that I can improve, or points out an error I am susceptible to becoming angry. I know this, so I take care not to respond too quickly. My first response would likely be a counter attack…saying something sarcastic or off-putting that would create a little space between us. However, experience has taught me…okay, okay…..”is teaching me” that not everyone who points out ways in which I could do better has a nefarious motive. Actually, they may want to see me succeed, they aren’t trying to say that I am not qualified for my job. In fact, let me be honest here. I already know that without Christ I am unqualified. I get it, I really do. With Christ I can do all things, without Christ I can do nothing. So if someone recognizes that I am simply a waterlogged stick being carried along by the current of Jesus Christ, what is that to me? I already know that. In fact, I celebrate it. I would rather be a stick for Jesus than a mighty sailing vessel without Him.
Anyway, that whole commentary was simply to emphasize the point that I can relate to reacting too quickly, and doing something regrettable.
Such is the case for the people of Israel, who choose to ignore what Jeremiah says. 35:17 summarizes God’s anger with them when He says “I spoke and they didn’t listen, I called to them, but they did not answer.” The response of the people is the second response to the Gospel. They simply ignore it, like someone would tune out a radio station that was playing music they don’t like. They simply “change the channel” and go on their way. In today’s society I think we see them saying “you believe what you want to believe, and I will believe what I want to believe, just don’t try to force your beliefs on me.” The hard part of that philosophy is that the future is written for all of us, not just whoever believes. And if I care about you, then I care about what happens to you in the future. And, since I believe that what happens to you without Jesus is terrible…I cannot leave you alone. It would be like watching you misuse equipment to become injured or killed, all while standing idly by. I could only do that if I didn’t care.
The first reaction to the Gospel is actually the first one mentioned in today’s reading. I don’t know why I jumped to #2 first, that’s all part of the mystique of knowing me. (ahem). Anyway, the Rekabites have it right. They were told generations ago “don’t drink wine, and don’t live in houses” and they never have. So here you have it…the original “Free Methodist” Jews. Their forefather told them to do something, and they are still living in obedience today, even though all of society has changed around them. It clearly isn’t a sin to occasionally drink wine, and it isn’t a sin to live in a house….but since they were told by their forefather not to do these things, they honor him (and God) by abstaining. And, I emphasize this: God is pleased. He promises them that they will not cease to exist as a family. In this time of war and persecution, whole families could very easily be wiped out. That will not happen to the Rekabites, because they have been faithful. I note here that God doesn’t promise them that everyone will survive, and He doesn’t promise that they won’t suffer with the others…only that they will always have descendants.
Still, that’s quite a reward.
The third response is the worst, and that is king Jehoiakim cutting up the the scroll of Jeremiah. To me, this is active aggression toward the Word of God. The prophet is punished for sharing what God has laid on his heart. (note here: Jeremiah is beaten, and imprisoned for a long time…so long he fears he won’t survive if his punishment continues. What does that say about righteous people suffering?)
Not only will God’s Word come true, but Jehoiakim will be brutalized because of his actions. No one can actively despise, or ignore God’s Word and get away with it.
As I read today, I simply want to be the person who reacts well. I want to be the one who doesn’t create false issues to obscure the real issue, even if the real issue is a stinging rebuke to me.
“Lord, help me always to be a ‘Rekabite’, following You wholeheartedly and unwaveringly, even if I don’t completely understand why”.
Faithfully,
PR