The Rechabites had a heritage of disassociating themselves from anything and everything that might dilute their concentration on serving God. Were all the things they abstained from all that bad? No; yet by avoiding these things(the Rechabites practiced a rather severe form of ascetic self-discipline), they believed they could dedicate themselves to God and keep themselves morally pure to a degree not possible otherwise.

Whether Jeremiah approved of all their positions or not, he did find them to be an example of the fact that faithfulness to God demands some discipline - even some sacrifice. As the Hebrew writer put it, faith’s Hall of Fame is filled with those who put some things aside in order to concentrate life on what fulfills the purpose of God.(Hebrews 12:1) These things may not be bad; perhaps they’re even good. The question is, are they the best?

Frequently, life gets so filled with good things that there is little opportunity to concentrate on the very best. A heritage like that of the Rechabites is something to be cherished.