Where Are the Old Paths?
Have you noticed a trend toward the removal of national borders in North America, Europe, Asia, and perhaps Africa also? In North America and Europe it is much easier to pass from one country to another than it was a few years ago. Sometimes frontiers and customs are not even noticed.
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has removed many restrictions in the commerce between the countries involved.
After the confusion of tongues at Babel, the great distinction of nations was not national boundaries, but difference of language. Even today the greatest barrier between people of other nations is the different languages. Men have tried to overcome this barrier, but cannot; instead other differences have arisen, such as ethnic, or cultural, and religious diversities.
In present-day Israel all of these barriers to peace are found, but perhaps the least one is language. It is not very difficult to learn two or three languages and so understand one another. But religious beliefs and convictions are deep and strong, and years of strife and hatred between races of people prevent peace being obtained easily.
All people understand money and its power. That is one common denominator. The power of armies and a great arsenal are also understood by men.
Another question: Will people ever agree on these two things, money and might? Who is to have them and who should have them and who shall have them? Men talk much of peace and even have "talks" to discuss peace.
In Jer. 6:1414They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace. (Jeremiah 6:14) we read this: "They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of My people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when there is no peace." The next verse asks them, "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination?" The Lord answers that in the negative, and then tells them that they shall be ashamed and fall; "at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down.”
The Lord speaks of visiting them in chapter 9:8, 9. "Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbor with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. Shall I not visit them for these things? saith the Lord: shall not My soul be avenged on such a nation as this?”
The Lord still has a promise for His earthly people. We quote Jer. 23:2-42Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. 3And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. 4And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:2‑4), "Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed My people; Ye have scattered My flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. And I will gather the remnant of My flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the Lord.”
Still to come, then, we see a visit of the Lord in affliction and judgment upon His earthly people and then a visit of blessing.
Considering again those words in Jer. 6, "Peace, peace; when there is no peace," we find these words in verse 16: "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." Surely there is in this an application for us to heed in these days of so much unrest around us on every continent. And even worse, there are riots and terrorism and warfare. Believers in every part of the world can still find the old paths of Christianity. Let us meditate upon the book of Acts-the beginning of Christianity. Let us walk in those old paths.
Sad to say, this last verse we referred to ends with their answering, "We will not walk therein." May we as believers today never say or practice such rebellion. Let us obey God's Word. It is the way of happiness. Ed.