Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, And walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls." But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' (v.16)
Jeremiah ministered just prior to the Babylonian exile (627–580 B.C.). Like many other prophets, he urged God’s people to return to “the old paths” (v.16). But they refused to do so! Even though God had sent previous prophets, the “watchmen” (v.17), the people persisted in their sin. And, rather than destroying all their false idols, the Israelites adopted many perverse pagan practices, even entering into dangerous foreign alliances rather than trusting God for their protection.
The consequences of their sin were far-reaching. Instead of being a witness to the nations, we find that the nations were called upon to testify against Israel in the courtroom of God’s justice and to hear His sentence against his people (v.18). This is indeed a sad day when God's people would chose to go their own way and not turn from their evil path, to walk the path of destruction rather than the way to truth and to light. And even when the prophet pleaded for them to return to the “good way,” they responded, “We will not walk in it.
LORD, teach us that the best road is the one we walk with You, and that the “old truth” of Your Word is ever new - even in today's morally degrading culture where good is consider evil and evil good.
The Truth: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:115)
Jeremiah ministered just prior to the Babylonian exile (627–580 B.C.). Like many other prophets, he urged God’s people to return to “the old paths” (v.16). But they refused to do so! Even though God had sent previous prophets, the “watchmen” (v.17), the people persisted in their sin. And, rather than destroying all their false idols, the Israelites adopted many perverse pagan practices, even entering into dangerous foreign alliances rather than trusting God for their protection.
The consequences of their sin were far-reaching. Instead of being a witness to the nations, we find that the nations were called upon to testify against Israel in the courtroom of God’s justice and to hear His sentence against his people (v.18). This is indeed a sad day when God's people would chose to go their own way and not turn from their evil path, to walk the path of destruction rather than the way to truth and to light. And even when the prophet pleaded for them to return to the “good way,” they responded, “We will not walk in it.
LORD, teach us that the best road is the one we walk with You, and that the “old truth” of Your Word is ever new - even in today's morally degrading culture where good is consider evil and evil good.
The Truth: “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” (Psalm 119:115)
