Obey the Words of the Lord

Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Jeremiah 35:12-17 KJV 

12 Then came the word of the LORD unto Jeremiah, saying, 13 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, Will ye not receive instruction to hearken to my words? saith the LORD. 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. 15 I have sent also unto you all my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending [them], saying, Return ye now every man from his evil way, and amend your doings, and go not after other gods to serve them, and ye shall dwell in the land which I have given to you and to your fathers: but ye have not inclined your ear, nor hearkened unto me. 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: 17 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon Judah and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the evil that I have pronounced against them: because I have spoken unto them, but they have not heard; and I have called unto them, but they have not answered.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What was the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet? (v.12-13)
2) What did the sons of Jonadab refrain from doing? Why? (v.14a,14b)
3) How had God's people responded to His commandments? (v.14c)
4) Who did the Lord send to His people and what did they tell them? Did the people of God listen to His words? (v.15)
5) Who did the Lord use as a standard in judging His people? (v.16)
6) Why did the Lord judge His people? (v.17)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
7) Are you diligent in doing all that the Lord commands in His word? If not, why not?
8) Who might you look to as an example of obedience to the Lord's word (will) in your life?

LIFE LESSONS
9) Our Lord expects His people to hear and to do whatever He says in His word.
10) The Lord sends people into our lives, who exemplify obedience to God, to motivate and model a Godly lifestyle before us.
11) The Lord expects His children to obey Him because He knows what is best for us.
12) Prolonged disobedience to the Lord's commands always results in the chastening of the Lord.