I'm writing this as a testimony. I belong to the Rechabite clan. Though we do not belong to any of the tribes of Israel, we are also true Israelites. We have been with them since they came to the promised land.
Yes we are different people. We are nomads, we are teetotallers, we do not own any property. Because of all these we are made fun of by others. We are called water drinkers for nothing. Me being the elder of this nomadic society I had to know how to strengthen my community.
Our ancestor Jehonadab Ben Rechab had made a vow and forbade his brothers to be stringent regarding these. He was sure, this is from God. We have been trying to be true to Jehovah. Because we were sure that He alone is God. No country would be protected and provided for like Israel, unless the Living God is with them. We were sure. Though we were gentiles, we were sure we are part of His kingdom.
It was hard to see the children go wayward as we the outsiders were looking on.
The country was divided into two. There was idol worship all around. But we stuck on to our convinctions. Our ancestors words we followed. Because we feared the Lord. No radical explanation. But we simply believed and obeyed.
I used to tell my clan. The meaning of my name is 'The Lord hears'. Yes the Lord will hear what we are doing and why we are doing and we will be rewarded. Though we are literally aliens, though we live like aliens, we are His children too.
I used to tell them that all these pleasures and all these settling in this world is useless. That is why we are called to do this. It's indeed a privilege to do this. Even to the real children we are a testimony, adopted children as we are, we love our God. Let them see our love to God and repent and come back.
We are nomads, we are aliens, because we look above with faith for a better kingdom. The kingdom promised to David, where His descendant would reign forever.
We are called to obey what our ancestor has told. We will continue to do it.
Years have gone by. Centuries have passed. Our obedience was looking useless. Slowly there were some grumblings arising within our community.
That was when one day Jeremiah the great prophet came to meet me. He has been running around the whole nation asking to repent. He is a man of God. He comes over. We provided our greatest delicacies. But He doesn't touch those. He invites us over to the Temple over a drink of wine.
I'm shocked. Doesn't he know that we have our vow. Is he trying to make fun of us too? But he is a man of God? Is God making fun of us too?
Has all these obedience amounted to nothing. And if we reject, will he curse? Will He punish?
I'm not that strong in faith. Is God telling us to come out of this vow? What if the vow was unnecessary?
I prayed to God Almighty. Help us Lord. Give us wisdom. As a community we prayed. We fasted.
No, Jazaaniah, you have been called to obey. Rechabites have been called to obey. We will continue to obey. We will tell Jeremiah.
"No, we don't drink wine because our ancestor Jehonadab, son of Rechab gave us this command"
We will continue to obey our ancestor, because we believe our ancestor has been instructed by our God.
Not sure, how Jeremiah will react. Fearful we make our commitment. We stand our ground.
Then Jeremiah says something which we couldn't even fathom.
The Rechabites know how to obey. Why don't you oh! Children of Israel. Did he compare us as an example to emulate? Is God telling that we did the right thing? Wow.
"The descendants of Jehonadab will always serve me, says the Lord"
Is this true? I can't believe my ears. Oh!
Yes the Lord has heard our plea.
We are no longer aliens. We are His children too. Our obedience and our persistence He has seen. Because He enabled. He now blesses. What a privilege, to serve Him always. We were not worthy. But He has been gracious to include us too in the fold. Though in this time of exile, He has chosen to bless. Jeremiah is smiling at me, patting at my shoulder. I know that's the smile of God.
I did not win any contest or a match. But this is beautiful. This is a privilege. This is for eternity he says. Wow. What have we done to receive this.
This means the exile will be over as Jeremiah prophesied. This means that the coming of the Messiah is also true, of the lineage of David. We will be serving Him. Wow. What a privilege. We did not deserve.
Eternally grateful for the eternal privilege.
Image credit: https://www.newfoodmagazine.com/news/168361/humanitarian-organisations-call-on-leaders/
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