- The Times of Volume Four
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- Chapter 1—Bible Biographies
- Chapter 2—Unity of the Church
- Chapter 3—Go Forward
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- Chapter 5—Choosing Earthly Treasure
- Chapter 6—True Benevolence
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- Chapter 8—The Testing Process
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- Chapter 10—Influence of Social Surroundings
- Chapter 11—A Divided Interest
- Chapter 12—Self-Exaltation
- Chapter 13—Missionaries in the Home
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- Chapter 14—Willing Obedience
- Chapter 15—The Twelve Spies
- Chapter 16—The Taking of Jericho
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- Chapter 19—Entire Consecration
- Chapter 20—Necessity of Harmony
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- Chapter 22—Sacredness of God's Commandments
- Chapter 23—Selfishness in the Church and in the Family
- Chapter 24—Appeal to Ministers
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- Chapter 26—Preparation for Christ's Coming
- Chapter 27—Address to Ministers
- Chapter 28—Sympathy for the Erring
- Chapter 29—The Cause in Texas -
- Chapter 30—Self-Caring Ministers
- Chapter 31—Uprightness in Deal
- Chapter 32—Religion in the Daily Life
- Chapter 33—Consecration in Ministers
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- Chapter 34—The Judgment
- Chapter 35—Our Publications
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- Chapter 37—Ministers of the Gospel
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- Chapter 40—Our Publishing Houses
- Chapter 41—Sacredness of Vows
- Chapter 42—Wills and Legacies
- Chapter 43—The Relation of Church Membership
- Chapter 44—Dishonesty in the Church
- Chapter 45—Importance of Self-Control
- Chapter 46—Unscriptural Marriages
- Chapter 47—The Lord's Poor
- Chapter 48—The Cause at Battle Creek
- Chapter 49—Improvement of Talents
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- Chapter 50—The Servants of God
- Chapter 51—Warnings and Admonitions
- Chapter 52—Moral and Intellectual Culture
- Chapter 53—Duty to the Poor
- Chapter 54—Health and Religion
- Chapter 55—Faithful Workers
- Chapter 56—Christian Influence
- Chapter 57—Economy and Self-Denial
- Chapter 58—Position and Work of the Sanitarium
- Chapter 59—The Influence of Associates
- Chapter 60—The Tract Societies
- Chapter 61—Love of the World
- Chapter 62—Simplicity in Dress
- Chapter 63—Proper Education
- Chapter 64—Accountability to God
A Lesson from the Rechabites
God commanded Jeremiah to gather the Rechabites into the house of the Lord, into one of the chambers, and set wine before them and invite them to drink. Jeremiah did as the Lord commanded him. “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 forever.”4T 174.2
Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, 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. 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.”4T 174.3
Here God contrasts the obedience of the Rechabites with the disobedience and rebellion of His people, who will not receive His words of reproof and warning. The Rechabites obeyed the commandment of their father and refused to be enticed into transgression of his requirements. But Israel refused to hearken unto the Lord. He says: “I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking, but ye hearkened not unto Me. 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. 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; 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.4T 174.4
“And Jeremiah said unto the house of the Rechabites, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Because ye have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according unto all that he hath commanded you: 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 forever.”4T 175.1
The Rechabites were commended for their ready and willing obedience, while God's people refused to be reproved by their prophets. Because He had spoken unto them but they had not heard, because He had called unto them but they had not answered, therefore God pronounced judgment against them. Jeremiah repeated the words of commendation from the Lord to the faithful Rechabites and pronounced blessings upon them in His name. Thus God taught His people that faithfulness, and obedience to His requirements, would be reflected back upon them in blessings, as the Rechabites were blessed for their obedience to their father's command.4T 175.2
If the directions of a good and wise father, who took the best and most effectual means to secure his posterity against the evil of intemperance, were to be so strictly obeyed, God's authority should be held in as much greater reverence as He is holier than man. He is our Creator and commander, infinite in power and terrible in judgment. In mercy He employs a variety of means to bring men to see and repent of their sins. If they will continue to disregard the reproofs He sends them, and act contrary to His declared will, ruin must follow; for God's people are kept in prosperity only by His mercy, through the care of His heavenly messengers. He will not uphold and guard a people who disregard His counsel and despise His reproofs.4T 175.3