Jeremiah 35:19

REFLECTIONS

LET us not dismiss this Chapter without taking with it the instructions the Holy Ghost seems to have intended the Church to gather from it; for they are very many, and very interesting also. Surely the Lord hath not handed down to us this famous history of a single family, but with an express design that it might be profitable withal. There seems to be all along intended from it, a great heightening of men's folly in respect to their inattention to divine things, when in mere human things so much respect was shown. The father of the house of the Rechabites, had for many ages and generations this veneration manifested towards him, when he himself was mouldered to dust, and his ashes mingled with his original earth. But the inattention God's people manifested to the Lord, was to One who inhabiteth eternity: and who is the same yesterday, to-day, and forever! The house of the Rechabites knew Jonadab only by name: but the Lord of hosts was known to his people by power and mighty acts, in grace, mercy, and continual favor. The authority of Jonadab certainly ceased with his life. But Israel's God was their God forever and ever. And had the house of the Rechabites disobeyed Jonadab their father, the offence would have been against a man like themselves: but in Israel's disobedience, their rebellion was against the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, for this was his name forever, and this was his memorial to all generations. Pause, Reader! and in the view, think of the forbearance, and long-suffering, and goodness of the Lord: that notwithstanding Israel's perpetual and unceasing rebellion, the Lord still cast not away his people whom he foreknew. Still the Lord carried them on, and still he loved them; until at length Jesus came to bless them, in turning away everyone of them from their iniquities! Blessed be God for Jesus Christ!