Scripture Daily

Context No. 3409 of 4322 · Jeremiah

Context · Reflection

Jeremiah 6:16-20: in context

16The LORD says, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, ‘Where is the good way?’ and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ 17I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen!’ 18Therefore hear, you nations, and know, congregation, what is among them. 19Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it. 20To what purpose does frankincense from Sheba come to me, and the sweet cane from a far country? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, and your sacrifices are not pleasing to me.”

God's appeal is gentle and wise: stand at the crossroads and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. He calls his people to seek the tried and proven way, the path of his commandments walked by the faithful before them, and promises rest to those who take it.

But the response is stark: they said, we will not walk in it. And when watchmen were set to warn them, they said, we will not listen. The tragedy is not that God failed to guide them, but that they refused the good way when it was plainly held out. And their religion could not paper over the refusal; their offerings and incense were not accepted, because the heart behind them would not obey. God still calls us to the ancient, good way that leads to rest for the soul; the only question is whether we will walk in it, or answer, as they did, we will not.

When God points me to the good and ancient way that leads to rest for my soul, do I walk in it, or do I say, "I will not"?

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