Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Remnant Theology

God has always had a remnant. My favorite biblical and historical portrait of this principle is found in Jeremiah 35. This is the account of the Recabites. God wanted a metaphor for fidelity with perseverance. He pointed Jeremiah to the Recabite family. His instructions were to invite them to a side room in the house of the LORD and serve them wine. He did and they didn't! WHY??

"We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jonadab son of Recab gave us this command: 'Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plant vineyards; you must never have any of these things, but must always live in tents. Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads.'

Read the chapter. Then re-read the closing paragraph. This is where I get Remnant Theology. The Recabites obeyed a seemingly innocuous command for several hundred years. They became the metaphor for fidelity to Jehovah. Their reward?

"Jonadab son of Recab will never fail to have a man to serve me." Quite a heritage. '

Could it be that we ought to pray for this kind of zeal and joyful fidelity to God's Truth in our day? I have three adult children and thirteen grandchildren. They all give evidence of honoring the LORD. Could there be a more precious or treasured heritage than that?

Be a Recabite!

In Grace,
Tom

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