2. “Sinful Census” This evening I would like for us to consider one of Jeremiah’s most unusual illustrations as God tells Jeremiah to offer wine to a family who had maintained a commitment to abstain from alcohol for at least the past 250 years. The account of Jeremiah’s challenge to a group of people known as the Rechabites. Jeremiah 35:1‐19… If a bunch of people can so strongly follow the centuries‐old tradition handed down to them by their ancestors, then God’s people ought to also be able to listen to God in His word. This is the central thought.

3. “Sinful Census” FAMILY LEGACY OF OBEDIENCE Jonadab made his descendants promise that they would not drink alcohol, that they would live in tents, that they would not plant crops, and that they would not plant any vineyards. In a time when people were putting their trust in riches and large fortified houses, and in a time when people were getting drunk all around them, the descendants of Jonadab, the Rechabites, stood alone.

4. “Sinful Census” But the prophet Jeremiah brings them into an inner chamber of the temple, he takes what must have been the finest wine in the land (the best of the best that had been given to the priests), he puts the wine in large bowls or pitchers, he puts some cups out there, and then he tells them that they are to take a drink— And yet they say “No” to God’s prophet, because 250 years in the past their family took a solemn vow that they would not. He put the wine on the table, he gave them cups, but they refused—all because they were committed to the principles that had been laid down by their ancestors.

5. “Sinful Census” GOD MAKES A STATEMENT Here is this family demonstrating loyal obedience to their ancestor who has been dead for hundreds of years, and yet you (the nation of Israel) refuse to listen to Me, Your God who continually sends you My servants and My prophets. Notice God’s message to the people (in verse 13), “Will you not receive instruction by listening to My words?”

6. “Sinful Census” The Bible tells us that he was zealous, that he worked to rid the nation of idolatry way back when. He came up with a plan for preventing his family and his descendants from being sucked in by the evils of the world. He was a great man, he was a great leader, but Jonadab was just a man, those restrictions were not inspired. So here were the Rechabites being faithful to Jonadab, but the people of Israel had rejected the Lord, who was so much more than Jonadab. And what is the message? What does God want the people to do? God’s message comes in the middle of verse 15, “Turn now every man from his evil way and amend your deeds.”

7. “Sinful Census” THE RECHABITES WILL BE REWARDED FOR THEIR EXAMPLE OF OBEDIENCE. Jeremiah delivers a message directly from God to 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; 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.” Remember: This account takes place shortly before the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 586 BC.

8. “Sinful Census” – In the fine print concerning the rebuilding of the wall, the Bible says in Nehemiah 3:14, “Malchijah the son of Rechab, the official of the district of Beth‐haccherem repaired the Refuse Gate. He built it and hung its doors with its bolts and its bars.” – Just as God promised, many years later the descendants of Rechab were still around, they were still active, and they were still obedient to God. – As Jesus said in John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him.” Or, as in (from Hebrews 5:8), that “having been made perfect, [Jesus] became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation.”

9. “Sinful Census” Conclusion We have considered A PEOPLE WHO PROCLAIMED AND PRACTICED PRINCIPLES FOR A PROTRACTED PERIOD, EVEN IN THE PRESENCE OF A PROVOCATIVE PROPOSAL FROM A POWERFUL PROPHET. Where will we be in the year 2260? Where will our descendants be 250 years from now? Will our descendants be able to look back in history at our example of obedience to the gospel? Will they be inspired by that?