"A Walk On The Old Path"

                   

Jeremiah, called the weeping prophet, made it clear that refusing to walk in "the old paths" was a definite sign of apostasy on the part of Judah.

We read in Jeremiah 6:16, "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.' (NKJV)

Babylonian captivity was a difficult reality for thousands, because of rebellion and spiritual apathy in their lives! And today, we can see the same trend taking place in the Lord's church.

We can definitely notice a great disrespect for God's plan when it comes to the purity of the church as well as the sanctity of the home.                                                   

Following the standard set by God's Holy Word is more than some folk intend to do. When we read and compare the background of the problem in Jeremiah's day with the similar situation of today, we learn again the lesson that human nature has not changed in all these centuries.

A lack of concern for divine authority can be clearly detected by any honest student of the Scriptures.

What caused the apostasy in Jeremiah's time? Why is it that his own people rejected "the old paths"? And why are these the same problems in our present time?

As we study the Scriptures, we can find a minimum of eight areas that contributed to the sin of Judah in 600 B.C., and then see the sad application to the spiritual decline of many today.

If we can gain insight into human weakness and then correct our back-sliding ways, our study will be beneficial. If we do not care to have the knowledge and wisdom to change, then something even worse than Babylonian captivity is waiting.

The reasons God punished Israel and Judah can be found in Judges 2 and II Chronicles 36.

In a nutshell, those passages tell us that Jehovah God grew tired of their: 
(1)Idolatry, 
(2) Ingratitude, 
(3) Immorality, 
(4) Disobedience, 
(5) Stubborn will, 
(6) Rebellion, 
(7) Irreverent attitude toward worship, 
(8) Mocking of the prophets.

The form of idolatry that hinders many people today is the overwhelming sin of covetousness. Yes covetousness. Consider what Paul tells us in Colossians 3:5;

"Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (NKJV)

Today the church has many who are obsessed with houses, lands, jewelry, automobiles, boats and other fancy "things" and material concerns that war against the simplicity of "the old paths".

Worldliness occupied the minds of Israel and Judah in the days of the prophets, and this fleshly thinking robs God of the full dedication and commitment from many professing Christians in our own day and time.

Too often the time that should be devoted to the worshiping and serving of God is devoted to the desire and concern of "things"; and, as we all know, things that do not last.

Rebellion toward the Word of God is graphically seen in the lack of Bible knowledge that is so evident among members of the body of Christ in our generation.

I will stop here for today and we will finish our study next time...God bless and Bless Him in your living.