Set Apart

 Jeremiah 26, 35, 36; John 20 

“Then I set bowls full of wine and some cups before the men of the Recabite family and said to them, ‘Drink some wine.” But they replied, ‘We do not drink wine, because our forefather Jonadab son of Recab gave us this command: “Neither you nor your descendants must ever drink wine. Also you must never build houses, sow seed or plan vineyards;…must always live in tents. Then you will live a long time in the land where you are nomads.” We have obeyed everything our forefather Jonadab son of Recab commanded us.’”

Jeremiah 35:5-8

The Recabites were a living testimony of obedience to the commands of their forefathers. They were set apart from the society around them by their nomadic lifestyle, abstinence from alcohol, and avoidance of agriculture. When tested, they recited the commands of Jonadab. The early Church was also known as a peculiar people, set apart as a holy nation, a people belonging to God. They had limited copies of the Scriptures and most Christ-followers could not read. Yet, they knew the commands of Jesus and they passed on the gospel stories. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit inside each Christ-follower was discipling them to say “no” to sin, and “yes” to God’s ways.

Are we still a peculiar people, set apart for God’s glory?

“Lord Jesus, I offer my choices to you, for your glory.”