Thus Saith The Lord

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. (Jeremiah 6:16a KJV)

Once again we have clear words from the Lord. Stand firm, ask about the old paths, which are the good ways, walk there. Do this and we’ll find rest. Look to experienced people and ask them about what worked and what didn’t. Walk in the paths that have proven good. Sounds very clear and shouldn’t be all that hard to do, right?

Must not have been, when you read the rest of the verse.

But they said, We will not walk therein. (Jeremiah 6:16 KJV)

So, He provided watchmen.

Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. (Jeremiah 6:17 KJV)

You’ve heard these watchmen if you’ve ever heard a sermon, or even a Mom, giving warning. Hear that sound? It has meaning. It’s an alarm to let you know something is going to happen, so be ready.

But they said, We will not hearken. (Jeremiah 6:17 KJV)

They’re not going to walk the good path, they are not going to heed the warnings of a watchman (or even a Mom), so what’s next.

Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. (Jeremiah 6:18 KJV)

Wow, He wants everyone to hear what is going to happen. Let me be the first to warn you here – it isn’t going to be loving kindness and forgiveness to those who do not listen. There is no “every path leads to God,” as so many would seek.

Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. (Jeremiah 6:19 KJV)

Reject Him if you will. I decline to do so. I will ask for the good paths and walk therein. I will heed the sound of the trumpet and be aware of His warnings.

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV)

The people Jeremiah spoke to chose unwisely. Do we do better? Do we understand why?

The prophet Jeremiah. Woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle, 1493 (Wiki Commons)