To Drink or Not to Drink

O. T. #1805  "To Drink or Not to Drink"

Oct. 21, 2020

Jeremiah 35

 

LET IT GLOW

 

To drink or not to drink wine-that is the question.

May I share me experience? I grew up with a father who drank periodically. He would go to a bar, not drinking in our home, then come home drunk. He was not abusive, but I could see the effect liquor had on him. And I saw how it upset my mother. Therefore, I determined to not drink, nor marry a man that did. I wanted a Christian home where the standards of the Bible were lived out.

Before looking at this chapter, lets have a flashback to the time when Kings Jehoiakim  reigned in Judah. There was a group of Jews known as the Rechabites (descendants of Kenites). They followed their ancestors' ways of living-not drinking wine and worshiping God only. Also, they were nomads, not living in houses but tents as a result of staying faithful to their family covenant. The did not plant crops or vineyards either. If they followed these practices, they would live good, long lives. Since the Babylonians were ravaging the countryside, the Rechabites took refuge in Jerusalem. 

In verse 1, we read where God sent Jeremiah to the house of the Rechabites. He was instructed to bring them into a side room of the Lord's Temple, where Jeremiah was to offer the Rechabites wine.

We read of their reaction in verses 4-11, which was to be an object lesson for Judah:

• They kept their vows to a fallible human leader; Israel broke their covenant with their infallible divine Leader.
• They did not drink, obeying their descendants; Israel refused to obey God and turn from their sins.
• They obeyed laws with temporal issues; Israel refused to obey God's laws with eternal issues.
• They obeyed for hundreds of years; Israel disobeyed for hundreds of years.
• They Rechabites would be rewarded; Israel would be punished.

We often are willing to observe customs merely for the sake of tradition; how much more should we obey God's Word because it is eternal. (Life Application Study Bible) 

LET IT GROW

 

This family leader set out to keep their family set apart. The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel blessed their faithfulness. Oh how I pray for such a blessing on my family! How about you? It can begin with our being faithful to God.

 

LET IT GO

 

Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness.

Please use my descendants in Your kingdom work for You glory.