Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - OBEDIENCE

 OBEDIENCE

How often do we obey what we are told to do when we are given instructions or advice?  More often than not we tend to do our own thing rather than listen to what we have been told.  Hence the phrase ‘When all else fails, read the directions.’

We are more likely to listen to what family or friends say than to hear what experts or leaders request.  It seems that we are also more likely to listen to someone, anyone, other than the one who has given all the advice we really need to know - God.  Sometimes we are tested in our obedience more that we might know.

In Jeremiah 35, the story is told of an attempt to have a group called the Rechabites drink wine.  This was a redial nomadic sect who were committed not to drink any wine on the command of their father.  “…We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us saying: ‘You shall drink no wine, you nor your sons, forever’” (Jeremiah 35:6).

Then God, through Jeremiah, rebuked Judah by using this example saying: “…Will you not receive instruction to obey My words?…” (Jeremiah 35:13). “The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; for to this day they drink none, and obey their father’s commandment.  But although I have spoken to you…you did not obey Me” (Jeremiah 35:14).

God used the example of the tempting of the Rechabites and their subsequent refusal as a contrast to the people of Judah.  They repeatedly refused to heed God’s instructions even though He repeatedly brought His commands to them through prophets. David Guzik, in his commentary*, makes the following points:

• “The Rechabites obeyed a fallible leader, the people of Judah disobeyed the eternal God.”
• “The Rechabites received their command only once from their leader and obeyed; the people of Judah received their command from God again and again and still disobeyed.”
• "The Rechabites obeyed regarding earthly things; the people of Judah disobeyed in regard to eternal things.”
• "The Rechabites obeyed their leader’s commands over about 300 years; the people of Judah continually disobeyed their God.”
• “The Rechabites would be rewarded; the people of Judah would be judged.”

And judged they were for God said: “…‘Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the doom that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them but they have not heard, and I have called to them but they have not answered’” (Jeremiah 35:17).

Are we any different today? Have we not been told many times through His Word, His Prophets, and even history that He sent His Son to us to redeem us and to give us the gift of eternal life?  But we still do not listen. In our proud and haughty attitude, we continue to try our own ways to meet God rather that listen to His commands.  But listen we must at some time, or face His judgement. In the words of a Booth Brothers Song:**

See the humble hearts adore Him

Jesus saves, Jesus saves

And the wisest bow before Him,

Jesus saves, Jesus saves 

We can be proud and haughty or humble and wise but the only thing we can be sure of is the need to be obedient for it is only Jesus who saves.

Just something to think about.

*   David Guzik Commentary from Blue Letter Bible 

** Jesus saves by Travis Cottrell, David Moffitt and sung by The Booth Brothers