Jeremiah 6:16
The Old Testament is filled with many lessons for the Christians.... It was written for our learning - Ro 15:4 “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” It was written for our admonition - 1 Co 10:11 “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” One such lesson is that found in the days of Jeremiah during a time of religious and social turmoil. The nation of Israel was being pulled in many directions. The Lord wanted to offer them rest for their souls - Jer 6:16 “Thus says the LORD: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'”
Using the imagery of travelers who have lost their way, the Lord calls for them to ask for the old paths. The Lord makes His plea, “Stand in the ways and see” - Jer 6:16. There is not just one path. There are many directions one might follow. “Ask for the old paths” - Jer 6:16. The ‘old way’ is often the best way. Such is certainly the case here. “Where the good way is” - Jer 6:16. Not all paths lead to the ‘good way’. In this case, the old paths led back to the Law of Moses - Jer 7:22-24 “For in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I did not speak to your fathers or command them concerning burnt offerings and sacrifices. But this command I gave them: 'Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.' But they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.”
Jesus makes a similar plea. To strive to enter the right path - Lk 13:24 ‘"Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” With a gate that is narrow, and not easily entered; where there is only one way to the Father - Jn 14:6 “Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”; Ac 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."’ For there are other, broad, ways that one might follow - Mt 7:13 ‘"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.” A way that many follow. A way that leads to destruction. Yet the way Jesus offers is a ‘good way’. One that likewise offers rest for our souls - Mt 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” In this case, the way leads back to the words of Jesus - Mt 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
The words of Jesus are relatively “old” by today’s standards. What happened to Israel appears to be the case with many today. As described in Jer 18:15 “But my people have forgotten me; they make offerings to false gods; they made them stumble in their ways, in the ancient roads, and to walk into side roads, not the highway,”, they had stumbled from the ancient paths, to walk in other pathways. Why? Because they had forgotten God, “But my people have forgotten me” - Jer 18:15. Though God had revealed Himself and His will long before He had established a “highway” for them to follow, instead, they had turned into many of the side “pathways”.
God’s people face similar dangers today. Jesus established a “highway” for us to follow by His words, doctrine, commandments (‘learn from Me’) - Mt 11:29 “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Communicated through His apostles - Mt 28:20 “teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."’ Aided by the Holy Spirit - Jn 16:12-13 ‘"I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” Which the early disciples were careful to follow - Ac 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” Which the Christians were commanded to follow - 2 Th 2:15 “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.”; 3:6 “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.” Yet there are man made “pathways” that would lead us astray. Such as the doctrines of men. We will examine this in the continuation of this lesson.
