Jeremiah 6:16

Terry Cheek Th.D...

Jeremiah’s ministry took place at a time when the people of Israel were deep into spiritual wickedness. Israel had sinned against God to the point He was ready to give them over to captivity. Israel did go into captivity in just a few short years. While Israel stood on the edge of God’s judgment, He still wanted to see Israel repent and turn back to Him. Jeremiah 6:16 reads; “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.”

From this verse, I get the image of a traveler who has come to a fork in the road. He has the liberty to go any way he chooses, but God wants him to “…ask for the old paths, where is the good way…” Our traveler could blindly choose a path to travel hoping for the best, or our traveler could stop and seek God’s direction before moving on. Today in our fast-paced lives filled with GPS and technology galore we often fail to stop and seek God’s direction before deciding. We feel we have the answers to life’s problems, the simple and complicated. We present ourselves as vulnerable targets for the devil’s temptation. The Lord wants His people on the right path one that will lead them in His direction. While this verse was spoken as a word of correction to the Jews many years ago there is a lesson in this verse for today’s church. It is my opinion the Lord would still have His people “…ask for the old paths…” We must agree the Lord has warned us against the wrong path and has provided us direction for the right path. His people, the church today, are responsible for walking the one which God has ordained, it is the one He can bless, it is the one that honors Him.

The history of Israel as recorded in the Bible has us understanding God's command to not allow false prophets or leaders to take them astray. This was a fundamental requirement of their faith. The Israel of Jeremiah’s day was to look back at men like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Joshua, and others for examples to pattern their decisions after. They were men of faith and obedience. God required Israel to not take just any path but to take time and find the right path, the old well-worn path. Even though it will have hills and rocks it is still the best path because it is God's path.

I want to share a story with you about finding the right direction. At the battle of the Bulge during World War II there was a group of German soldiers who dressed in Allied uniforms. These Germans also used captured American military vehicles and went through the German countryside changing road signs. When American troops came to the various crossroads, they were fooled many times being led off in the wrong direction. This deception by the Germans almost gained victory in this key battle. The difference was stopping, taking time to radio ahead, and confirm location and direction. God has provided a way to reach out and a command for us to do so, through our Bibles and prayer.

Too often we come to crossroads where Satan has changed the road signs. Here are a few of the changes he has fooled many into following. Is Salvation only through the Blood, we read in Hebrews 9:22 “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.” Our belief in Scripture has been wrongly changed notice 2 Timothy 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” there are 66 books, 1,189 chapters, 41,173 verses, 774,746 words, and 3,566,480 letters in the KJV Bible. Every ounce of God's Word is the infallible, inerrant, inspired Word of God. How has our love for the church been changed when we consider Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” How about the reality of Heaven and Hell being changed considering John 14:1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. (2) In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” And Psalms 9:17 “The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.” Does the lack of concern regarding the sharing of our faith show the value of the human soul being compromised? What does Mark 8:36-37 have to say? “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? (37) Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” We also talk about Jesus' soon return but do we really follow the right path? Here is what 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 reminds us to be mindful of. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. (16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” And here is God’s Word from Revelation 20:12 about the matter “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.” I will close with one last example and a question. Have we been led down the wrong path regarding God’s Holiness? Have we tried to bring God down to man’s level? Let’s consider Isaiah 6:3 “And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.” Along with 1 Peter 1:16 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

Much more can be written about this subject, but I will not indulge myself with any more of this publisher’s precious space. Friends when the Lord tells us to “ask for the old paths, where is the good way” it’s because those old paths have been walked out by men and women of faith who have their walk recorded in the pages of our Bible. Let’s be careful to not allow Satan the opportunity to misdirect us.

Until we meet again, either in print or in person, may God richly bless you is my prayer.