Desert Dwelling Teetotalers
- In the days of King Jehoiakim, a word comes to Jeremiah from God. It tells him to go see the Rechabites, bring them to the temple, and offer them some wine.
- So Jeremiah takes the Rechabites to the chambers of a man of God named Hanan in the Temple, and offers them wine.
- They refuse because their ancestor, Jonadab, told them not to ever drink wine. He also told them never to plant a vineyard, build houses, or settle down and practice agriculture. They're supposed to live a nomadic existence in tents.
- The Rechabites are only living in Jerusalem because of Nebuchadnezzar's invasion, so they're stuck in one place for now.
- God speaks to Jeremiah again and tells him to go to the people of Judah. He's supposed to tell them to learn a lesson from the Rechabites.
- The Rechabites continue to obey their ancestor's laws, but the people of Judah can't obey God even when he commands them right to their faces.
- So in punishment, God's going to bring disaster on Judah (somewhat predictably, at this point).
- But God promises the Rechabites that they'll always have God's favor.