“The sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have kept the command that their father gave them, but this people has not obeyed me. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I am bringing upon Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the disaster that I have pronounced against them, because I have spoken to them and they have not listened, I have called to them and they have not answered.’” (Jeremiah 35:16-17)

God used the obedience of the Rechabites as an object lesson for the people of Judah. Jonadab had commanded this clan not to drink wine or build houses and vineyards. And they didn’t! The point God made to Judah was that the Rechabites were faithfully obedient to their father, an earthly authority. But Judah refused to obey a greater authority, the creator of heaven and earth.

How often am I worried about getting in trouble over breaking an earthly rule, but give no thought to what God may think, almost as if God doesn’t know or care. But, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬)

Father, please grow me so that I have a genuine heart of obedience to all authorities in my life. Amen.