Review: The Promise of Jonadab

reviewed by T. C. Pinckney                                                                                                                      Vol. XXIII, No. 7, August 2010

This small book is written by E. Ray Moore and Gail Pinckney Moore. And yes, Gail is a cousin of mine. Knowing them so well probably motivated me to read the book, but this review is based on the book’s quality, not the personal relationship.

The Promise of Jonadab recounts the often overlooked story of the man who was perhaps the most faithful father mentioned in the Bible. At a time when great numbers of Israelites spurned Jahweh and worshipped Baal, when Ahab ruled and Jezebel was queen, Jonadab remained faithful. He established firm rules for his descendants, rules they still followed even centuries later, rules designed to prevent their falling victim to pagan culture.

As the Moores write, “For the unswerving obedience and the faithfulness of his descendants, he received clearly one of the most extraordinary promises ever given to any father and his family in the Bible. This text with its promise has easily earned Jonadab the accolade of ‘the greatest dad in the Bible.’ The text says the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah to reward the faith and leadership of Jonadab, coupled with the faithfulness and obedience of his descendants. This is the promise to Jonadab: ‘Jonadab, the son of Rechab, shall not lack a man to stand before me forever.’ (Jeremiah 35:19).

Our day, our culture are not unlike those Jonadab faced. The one true God is under attack. The world exults in lust and loot. In such an environment faithful children do not just happen; they spring from intentionally faithful parents.

The Promise of Jonadab is not just a glimpse of biblical history. Rather it is an object lesson for parents today. And it closes with three or four short chapters which apply Jonadab’s lessons to modern Christian parents.

The Promise of Jonadab is a quick, an easy read. But its lessons for parents are of vital importance.. I highly recommend every Christian, especially Christian parents, read and apply the lessons of this book.

[Available for $10.99 from Ambassador International, 800-209-8570 or www.ambassador-international.com.]