In these verses we see a big contrast between the Recabites and the Israelites. The Recabites obeyed their human leader while the Israelites disobeyed their divine leader. Isn’t it interesting how the Israelites refused to listen to God and turn from their sins and repent from their ways? Other cultures and countries’ leaders with one word can say, “Don’t do this or don’t do that,” and the people will obey.
Although the Israelites disobeyed God, there were times where they prospered and were blessed beyond comprehension because of their obedience. God would constantly bring them mercy and grace, but other times they experienced His wrath and discipline. What we need to learn from this is we are serving a big God. God has the power to give and to take away. These words came from the mouth of Job. Even when Job had lost everything, he still praised God in his distress. Even when he faced the worst kind of pain and suffering thought imaginable, he continued to give God glory. God would eventually reward his faithfulness and restore him and bless him with even more than he had before.
We should realize that God is loving and kind, but He is also a jealous God who demands our respect and fear of Him. God doesn’t like to be mocked and put down. God doesn’t like to have His named used in vain. God doesn’t like it when we choose our way instead of His. Only God the Father knows the day and the hour of His coming. Only He knows when the final judgment will come. I believe He is waiting until everyone has had the opportunity to accept Him as Lord. God wants everyone to know Him personally. That’s how much He loves us. He is still patient and kind with us when we still sin and make mistakes. God is waiting for us to repent and do what is right so we can experience His grace and forgiveness.
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