Bible Explanations
69. Rechabites and Extra-Biblical Traditions
Jonadab the son of Rechab
was in league
with Jehu:
2 Kings 10:15 - "And when he was departed thence, he lighted
on Jehonadab the son of Rechab coming to meet him:
and
he saluted him, and said to him, Is thine heart right, as my heart
is with thy heart? And Jehonadab answered, It is. If
it
be, give me thine hand. And he gave him
his hand;
and he took him up to him into the chariot."
2 Kings 10:23 - "And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of
Rechab,
into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal,
Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants
of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only."
Jonadab commanded his house
not to drink
wine - an extra-Biblical commandment:
Jeremiah 35:6 - "But they said, 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"
Jeremiah 35:8 - "Thus have we obeyed the voice of Jonadab the
son of Rechab our father in all that he hath charged us, to drink
no wine all our days, we, our wives, our sons, nor our daughters"
Jeremiah 35:14 - "The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab,
that
he commanded his sons not to drink wine, are performed; for unto
this day they drink none, but obey their father's commandment:
notwithstanding I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking;
but ye hearkened not unto me."
God blesses the keeping of
such a commandment
throughout the generations:
Jeremiah 35:16 - "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 35:19 - "Therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts, the
God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not want a man
to stand before me for ever."
But we must note that:
(1.) This was voluntary,
(2.) It was unconnected with worship.