Who Are The Rechabites?

Today’s Passage – Jeremiah 35 – 37

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: Neither shall ye build house, nor sow seed, nor plant vineyard, nor have any: but all your days ye shall dwell in tents; that ye may live many days in the land where ye be strangers. (Jeremiah 35:6 & 7)

Just some simple thoughts from the Scriptures this morning. For those of you that are part of our church in Galloway, I will be incorporating these thoughts into this morning’s message. I was drawn to chapter 35 of this morning’s reading which is a chapter devoted wholly to a family in Israel known as the Rechabites. We remember from 2 Kings the first mention of Jonadab, the son of Rechab which records the zeal of Jonadab as he helped Jehu remove all of the prophets of Baal from the land.

Here in chapter 35 of Jeremiah we learn more about this family who was blessed of God for following the precepts delivered them by their father Jonadab. We learn in this passage that the Rechabites were:

1 A Separated People – The Bible says that they drank no wine. They kept themselves from the sinful pleasures that this world has to offer. So many Christians today want to live with the best of both worlds. They want the power and blessing of God, but they also want to fulfill the lusts of their flesh. Unfortunately, you cannot walk in the Spirit and walk in the flesh at the same time. (Galatians 5)

2 A Simple People – They did not need luxury. They were content to dwell in tents, living a modest lifestyle. Why do we have to have so much junk; so many toys? Why can’t we just invest our treasure into that which is eternal?

3 A Strange People – (They were strangers in the land) Hebrews 11 says the same thing about Abraham. He was a stranger and a pilgrim. As Christians, we too are strangers on this earth. “Our conversation (citizenship) is in Heaven. This world is not our home. Let’s not get too tied down here on the earth, because we won’t be here long.

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Phil Erickson

Pastor Phil Erickson has been the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church since January of 2002. Having grown up in Ocean County, Pastor Phil has always had a burden for the south Jersey area. After graduating from Bible College in Longview, Texas, he and his family moved to Galloway Township with the vision of digging in and serving the Lord and the people of Atlantic County. Pastor Phil and Cindy Erickson have been married since 1985. They have four children and ten grandchildren. Their oldest son, Phil Jr. and his wife Katelyn are serving the Lord in Egg Harbor Twp., NJ. Their oldest daughter, Melissa, is married to Wesley Clayton who is in the Air Force and is currently stationed in New Mexico. Samantha, their third child, is married to Justin Mears and they are both serving the Lord at the church in Galloway. Hannah, the youngest, is married to Lucas McCollum, and they are also serving here in Galloway. In preparation for ministry, the Lord led him through a variety of educational experiences that have equipped him to serve the Lord and His people. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgian Court University, a Bachelor of Biblical Studies in Pastoral Theology from Texas Independent Baptist Seminary (formerly Texas Baptist College), a Master of Religious Education in Bible from West Coast Baptist College, and a Master of Biblical Studies from The Crown College. More recently, he completed a Graduate Certificate in Biblical Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Veritas Baptist College. He is thankful for these opportunities to study God’s Word more deeply, and counts it a privilege to use whatever knowledge the Lord has given him for the building up of His church. In addition to pastoring, the Lord has given Phil the wonderful privilege of teaching as an adjunct professor at Vision Baptist College in Berlin, NJ and Veritas Baptist College.