Jeremiah 34-37

August 24

Jeremiah 34-37

Peer pressure leads many people to do what they know they should not do, but they are not strong enough to resist the pressure. Peer pressure had led many people away from the Lord and down a path that leads to destruction. But if we set our minds before we get into difficult situations, we can resist temptation and remain true to our values. If we wait until we are in the situation, we will almost always fall.

The Racabite family was an example of a family that knew their values and did not cave in to peer pressure. God used them as an example for Israel. God had Jeremiah invite the Racabites to a room in the house of the Lord and set wine before them. They refused to drink wine because their forefather and told them not to drink wine and to continue to live in tents. God told Jeremiah that this family obeyed the command of their forefather, but the Israelites had rejected the word of God.

God sent prophets to warn Israel to turn from their wicked ways, He warned them that they were on the path to destruction, but they would not listen. The Racabites obeyed the command of their forefather, but Israel refused to listen to God and would face the consequences. Then God said; ‘You have obeyed the command of your forefather Jonadab and have followed all his instructions and have done everything he ordered.’ Therefore, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: ‘Jonadab son of Recab will never fail to have a man to serve me.’”" (Jeremiah 35:18-19, NIV)

God blesses those who walk in obedience to Him. When we walk in obedience and model that life before our children they too learn to walk in obedience. When we resist peer pressure because we have set our minds to do what is right not matter the circumstances, we are able to remain as people of integrity. Our children learn from our actions and perhaps throughout the generations our families will serve God faithfully.