Jeremiah 34-35  These two chapters have a common theme.. obedience.   

The king of Judah, Zedekiah, led his people to make a covenant with the Lord, to release every male and female Hebrew servant according to the Law.  They all obeyed and set the servants free... but.. some regretted this decision and took the servants back into  bondage.  This "profaned" the name of the Lord.. for this was a promise made in the Temple of the Lord.  "Therefore thus says the Lord, ' You have not obeyed Me in proclaiming release to each man to his brother, and each man to his neighbor. Behold I am proclaiming release to you.... to the sword, to the pestilence, and to the famine.. ' " 

Vows and promises made before God are sacred.  Jesus said it would be better to make no vows.. or oaths at all... than to make a vow you do no keep. ( Matthew 5:33-34)  

In chapter 35 Jeremiah tells of the Rechabites.. a clan that descended from Rechab; who all vowed to not drink wine.. or build houses.. or sow seed.. or plant vineyards.  For many generations these families obeyed the instructions of their ancestor. Even when Jeremiah was told to take them into the Temple and set wine before them, they would not compromise their vows.  In contrast to this the Lord says of His people, " Will you not receive My instructions by listening to My words?"

The Rehabites obeyed their father's commands, but the family of Judah would not obey their God's commands. " But I have spoken to you again and again; yet you have not listened to Me."  The message had been made clear.. " Turn now every man from his evil way, and amend your deeds; and do not go after other gods to worship them, then you shall dwell in the land which I have given you.. but you have not inclined you ear or listened to Me." 

Disaster would come upon Jerusalem because God spoke and His people would not listen.. " I have called them but they did not answer."

What vows have we made? What promises have we not kept? Are we obeying the Word of God? Are we listening to His voice and keeping His commands? Has He called me and I have not answered?

God speaks to us.. again and again.. but we need to incline our ears, we need to receive His instructions. We need to be "doers" of the Word as well. Like the Rechabites, we need to stay firm in our obedience, not compromising.. but living according to His Word .. by His Spirit.. every moment of every day.  It is not mistake they He calls us to "pray continually".. for how else can we do this?

Father in heaven, lead us in paths of righteousness, keep us from evil.  Open our ears to hear and our hearts to receive all You long for us to hear. Help us to keep our covenants with You and to worship You  alone for You are the Lord, the God of heaven and earth and there is no other!  Fill us Spirit of God that we might walk in righteousness, in love, and in obedience to Your Word,  today. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.