Jeremiah 34-35

In today’s reading there is a sharp distinction between Zedekiah and the Rechabite family, a distinction that calls us to be true to our word.

The unfaithfulness of Zedekiah and the people of Judah is seen in the treatment of Hebrew slaves.  The Babylonians are in the country and on the attack (34:1,6-7).  Perhaps this brought about a move to rectify an area of disobedience to the Mosaic Law.  King Zedekiah was at the forefront of this revival (34:8) to free Jewish slaves (Jews who in their poverty had attached themselves to others) in the Sabbatical year (34:8-11), something proscribed in the Law (34:12-14; Deut. 15:12).  This was a means of trusting God.

The resulting financial crunch through the loss of cheap labor resulted in a reversal of the decision (34:15-16).  Because they went back on their word, God promised them a freedom to have trouble (34:17-22).  They will have the liberty of dying by the sword, pestilence and famine.  It is not simply that they have disobeyed the Law; it is that they have reneged on a commitment made to God.

Chapter 35 tells a different story, a story from earlier times (35:1) told here perhaps in contrast with Jer. 34..  The Rechabites, nomadic Benjamites (2 Sam. 4:2) had a godly ancestor Jonadab (2 Kings 10:15-16) who taught them to be abstainers.  In this story Jeremiah is told by God to offer them wine.  They refuse because of their family commitment (35:6-7).

Now this is not a story about the rights or wrongs of drinking wine.  It is a story about faithfulness words.  God calls attention to this (35:12-17), that He had sent His servants the prophets to call the people to obedience but they did not heed that call as the Rechabites heeded their own father.  Thus the Rechabites will be blessed while the nation will be made desolate (35:18-19).

This is a common experience in mankind.  We may go through a time when we have great intentions to follow God.  We know we need to change our lives so we decide we will read our Bible or spend an hour in prayer or start going to church.  We may have some success which makes us feel quite good.  But in the end the change is unsustainable.  It is mere effort on our part, a work of the flesh.  We have not actually come to God, humbling ourselves in repentance.  We conclude that whatever it was that we gave up we cannot live without; we cannot trust God to bring satisfaction on His own.  This is a false faith.

But what can we do when our faith is lacking?  Perhaps the answer is in the words of a father who came to Christ one day seeking healing for his child.  When Jesus told him all things were possible to the one who believes, the man’s answer was, I believe Lord; help my unbelief (Mark 9:17-29). 

If your faith is lacking then, like Zedekiah, you are in trouble.  Turn to God and plead with Him to grant you true faith to follow Christ!