Jeremiah 6:16
Having examined the text and looking at the paths that Jesus offers, in our previous portion of this lesson, there are man made “pathways” that would lead us astray. Such as the doctrines of men - Mt 15:9 “in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.'"’ Such as the philosophies of men - Co 2:8 “See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Often packaged as “new!” and “improved!”, such doctrines and philosophies fail to deliver what only the Lord truly offers (“rest for your souls”).
To ensure that we are not led astray, we need to set up signpost, making landmarks. This was the solution for Israel to set up road marks which would direct them back to the right way - Jer 31:21 ‘"Set up road markers for yourself; make yourself guideposts; consider well the highway, the road by which you went. Return, O virgin Israel, return to these your cities.” For them, these ‘signposts’ and ‘landmarks’ was the Law of Moses to which they were not to add or take way - Deu 4:1-2 ‘"And now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, that you may live, and go in and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you. You shall not add to the word that I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you.” Which they were to teach to every generation - Deu 4:9 ‘"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children”
This is the same solution for us today. To set up road marks which lead us to the right way. For us, these ‘signposts’ and ‘landmarks’ are found in:
1) The apostles’ doctrine, received as God’s Word - Ac 2:42 “And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”; 1 Co 14:37 “If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.”; 1 Th 2:13 “And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”
2) For they contain the doctrine of Christ, without which we cannot have God - 2 Jn 9 “Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”
Do you desire to have rest for your soul...? Freedom from sin, freedom from guilt? With inner peace and tranquility in the midst of outward turmoil? The path to such rest is an old path.... Found only in Him who lived and died for our sins nearly 2000 years ago. Whose doctrine has been faithfully preserved by His apostles in the New Testament.
If you are stumbling around in life, then “ask for the old paths” that will lead you back to God...!
