"I set watchmen over you"
Text: Jeremiah 6:17
THE OLD PATHS
There is sadly conflict between the old paths and the new ones. Things will keep changing in technology. New discoveries would be made in science. There is nothing wrong with new knowledge. But there need not be a giving up of the old paths, such as faith in God!
“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.’
Also, I set watchmen over you, saying,
‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.'”
Jeremiah 6:16-17
1. “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'”
a) “Stand in the ways and see”
i) This was a call to check things out.
ii) A comparison may be made.
iii) One can “stand in the ways and see”.
iv) On the one hand, the way of the Lord and righteousness.
v) On the other hand, the way of idolatry and unrighteousness.
b) “And ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it”
i) The old paths led to a good way of life.
ii) There was faith in God.
iii) There was a walk with God to be enjoyed.
iv) This path led to significant blessings.
c) “Then you will find rest for your souls”
i) There was rest for the soul.
ii) Life was good and pleasant.
d) “But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.'”
i) There was obvious rejection.
ii) God’s ways and His blessings were rejected.
2. “Also, I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’
But they said, ‘We will not listen.'”
a) The rejection of God and all He stood for led the nation into danger.
b) Again, God showed much grace and mercy by appointing “watchmen”.
i) These were prophets.
ii) They could also be some remnant righteous people in the nation.
c) They gave a necessary word of warning.
i) They warned of an impending war.
ii) The sound of the trumpet warned of approaching enemies.
d) “But they said, ‘We will not listen.'”
i) Again, there was a rebuff of what God offered.
ii) The people refused to listen to anything the Lord had to say to them.
iii) They rejected everyone God sent too.