Obedience to authority is rewarded
To begin, God couldnt hav used a better family to convey the msg of obedience to his people. We are not even told whether Jonadab was a man of God but here he was, committing to the decrees issued by is long-passed ancestors. We see such scenarios today as well: People from other religions follow their beliefs wholeheartedly because it is what they believe to be true and a sure-thing. There is category of Buddhist monks in Asia who, in order to pray and offer sacrifice, have to plan a journey, up a 3240 meter high mountain before sunrise. And while these people have to go so up high to meet with their god, we serve a God who actually comes down to our level and lives in our hearts, helping and prompting us on the righteous path. God challenged these people then with this Rechabite clan, and he challenges us today by showing us the lengths that people believing in other dogma can go to attain redemption.
But more closely, I noticed that God blessed and PROMOTED these not-exactly-godly people. These were people who were not even part of Israel -- the chosen nation. God blessed this family with a dynasty of religious leaders for His glory (notice: this blessing lasts forever). How much more then would God bless His own who obey His word and promptings? food for thought..
Created 4 months ago
