The Bible’s Unsung Heroes (Part 3)

In Jeremiah 35, the Lord used a man named Jonadab (the son of Rechab) as an excellent example of a father with obedient children.  In verses 3-5, a number of the sons of Jonadab were taken into the house of the Lord and given wine to drink.  The sons of Jonadab refused the wine set before them, stating, “We will drink no wine: for Jonadab the son of Rechab our father commanded us, saying, Ye shall drink no wine, neither ye, nor your sons for ever:” (v. 6).  The Lord went on to use Jonadab and his sons as an illustration to the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.  The Lord had given them commands that they disobeyed, yet Jonadab’s sons had obeyed their father (v. 12-16).  The Lord continued His rebuke to the men of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem by pronouncing judgment for their disobedience while pronouncing reward for the sons of Jonadab for their obedience to their father. (v. 17-19).  This account serves as a case of God teaching by contrast concerning obedience vs. disobedience, thanks to a man (Jonadab) who exercised godly leadership as the head of his household.

Because the sons of Jonadab the son of Rechab have performed the commandment of their father, which he commanded them; but this people hath not hearkened unto me:  (Jeremiah 35:16)