I know it’s only fall, but New Years is coming. It’s a time when people re-evaluate what their life looks like. Not a bad idea… Many people make new commitments to eating right, exercising and self-improvement.
2019 Statistics
From Discovering Healthy Habits
- 7% of survey participants stuck to all their resolutions in 2019, while 19% kept some but not all of their resolutions.
- 8% of participants failed to keep any resolutions.
- And 57% chose not to make a New Year’s resolution for 2019.
- The most popular resolutions going into 2019 were to exercise more (59%), eat healthier (54%), save money (51%), and lose weight (48%).
Generational Statistics
- Millennials were the most confident in keeping all their resolutions (37%).
- Millennials were also the most successful generation, with 12% successfully keeping all their resolutions.
- Boomers were the least successful with only 2% sticking to all their resolutions.
Decisions about how you live is pretty important. It has the ability to impact you 10 years from now… and 10 generations from now…
The Back Story Jeremiah 35
The Rechabites (also Recabite, Rekabite) were a group of people that were known for their strict rules that prevented them from drinking wine, growing grapes (for wine, I guess) and planting crops (Jeremiah 35:6–7). Not only that, they were not allowed to live in permanent dwellings (a.k.a. house) but had to be satisfied with camping for their whole lives (tent dwellers).
Why?
The Rechabites were descendants of a guy named Rechab (or Recab or Rekab). (This Recab was honored by God, not beheaded by King David. This seemed to be a popular name back in the day… try not to get confused. Kinda like my son’s name is the same as his first cousin, but that’s another story.) Recab made some interesting decisions for him and his family.
This Recab seemed to be a nod back to the ever-popular Moses (yes, the Moses that you are thinking of, son of a slave, turned prince of Egypt, turned fugitive who bested the gods of Egypt, decimated a whole nation financially in one fell swoop and took over a million people out of slavery on the say-so of God, as God trounced the whole Egyptian administration and military. Yes, THAT Moses). Recab was related historically to Moses through marriage to the Zipporah, who was a Midianite. Moses’ father-in-law was considered the “Priest of Median” and was called a Kenite (Judges 1:16).
Not only that but Jehonadab was the son of Recab. This was the same Jehonadab joined Jehu to rid Israel of evil King Ahab, his entire family and royal entourage, by order of God. (see 2 Kings 10:15-17)
The Kenites were formidable people. Heber (the Kenite, the descendants of Hobab Moses’ brother-in-law) married a tenacious woman (Jael), known for slamming a tent peg into the head of the Canaanite commander who cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years. She changed the tide of the rebellion against all the Israelite oppressors and Israel was released. (Judges 4:14-24)
Recab was related to some of the best of the best. Recab’s relatives (his ancestors and his son) toppled entire empires and oppressive rulers – he knew the strength of his lineage. He agreed with it and dedicated himself to God’s service. Fast forward over 200 years and this is what happened:
Prophet Jeremiah called the Recabites (the ancestors of Recab) together and offered them a party at the temple. The Recabites were offered wine, but utterly refused, reminding Jeremiah that their refusal is based on a long-term commitment by their ancestor, which they still adhere to.
It was a test.
They passed.
They were held up for the Israelites to see that “This is what commitment looks like”, “when THEIR father said something, they did it, what about you? I’m your Heavenly Father, I want to bless you, where is your obedience?”
Jeremiah 35:14-16
14 The Recabites do not drink wine to this day because their ancestor Jehonadab told them not to. But I have spoken to you again and again, and you refuse to obey me. 15 Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you, “Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” But you would not listen to me or obey me. 16 The descendants of Jehonadab son of Recab have obeyed their ancestor completely, but you have refused to listen to me.’
Because of their generations of obedience and commitment, they got a promise: ” 18 Then Jeremiah turned to the Recabites and said, “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: (THAT is authority!!!, Listen closely) ‘You have obeyed your ancestor Jehonadab in every respect, following all his instructions.’ 19 Therefore, this is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jehonadab son of Recab will always have descendants who serve me.’”
Thoughts
Why would Recab choose to announce his dedication to God by living in tents, not planting seeds for food and by not associating with grapes in any form?
- Some scholars think that Jehonadab implemented the rules because they wanted to preserve the primitive lifestyle of his nomadic ancestors. I think it goes a little deeper than that.
It sounds a little like this:
I get it that they aren’t exactly the same, but the similarities are interesting… It’s a matter of being set apart, trusting God with your resources (or lack of) and walking in obedience. Looks a lot alike to me… How are you showing your dedication to God?
2) There’s a saying, “My ceiling is my children’s floor”. It means the best I can achieve is something my children can build on. Have people paved the way for your ability to trust?
We are more than individuals (contrary to popular North American beliefs). Who is pushing you to go deeper?
3) What have you determined to do?
North American New Years resolutions don’t go very far. But the Recabite Resolution went for generations! That’s powerful!
God saw it that way too.
He promised that there would always be a Recabite descendant to serve him. Serving God comes with blessings. (that is His heart, see God PLEADING with Israel for obedience, so He can freely give blessing)
15 Time after time I sent you prophets, who told you, “Turn from your wicked ways, and start doing things right. Stop worshiping other gods so that you might live in peace here in the land I have given to you and your ancestors.” (Jeremiah 35:15)
Are you Recabite? What kind of blessing are you in line with?
Good luck!