Standing at the Crossroads: Discovering How to Walk in the 'Ancient Paths' & Find Rest for Your Soul
The weight of your backpack presses hard into your side as you desperately look for some sign of familiarity."How could I have lost the others?!" You stifle a cry of panic that seems to be escaping from your lips. You try to calm your thoughts as you continue to trudge your way through the thick brush. "No path in sight." The forest floor is covered in leaves, pine needles, and branches several inches thick. If only you hadn't mindlessly wandered away from the group to take a picture of that magnificently tall sequoia tree and its cinnamon-colored bark, you wouldn't be wandering in circles - deserted and alone. You check your iPhone once more...no service whatsoever. As a last hope, you pull out the topographical map you purchased at the Visitor Center before you headed out to the trails. You gaze down at the trails' contour lines and the nearby landmarks that the topo displays. You remember reading online as you prepped for your hiking adventure, "Learn how to read a topographical map and contour lines so you never get lost." Determination and clarity begin to rise up in you as you take your map in one hand and your trekking pole in the other. You begin to maneuver through the forest floor as you follow the map. The contour lines begin to move closer together, indicating a steep slope ahead. As you crest the hill, you make out your group in the distance below about two miles ahead of you. Relief floods your mind. You're on the right path and will be reunited with your fellow hikers very soon.
I share this story as a creative way to illustrate the importance of having a standard that is true, correct, and without error. Using an inaccurate map to guide you when you're lost is a guarantee that you'll never make it to your destination.
In ancient times, trade routes existed between continents. Two of the most famous of these trade routes were the Silk Road and the Spice Road. These ancient roads had been in use for centuries to exchange goods and connect the cultures of these different continents. Silk, fragrant spices like cinnamon, cardamom, pepper, ginger, and nutmeg, along with incense like frankincense and myrrh were transported on the backs of camels, and other pack animals, up and down these ancient paths. These trade routes were reliable and highly traveled. They can be referred to as examples of "ancient paths."
The Bible talks about ancient paths. It is a theme of critical importance that is carried from the Old Testament to the New Testament. I first stumbled upon this theme when I recently read this in Jeremiah 6:16:
"This is what the LORD says: 'Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: 'Where is the good way?' Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls."
This Scripture contains a promise. When a person seeks the "good way" and then walks in it, there is promised rest for that person's soul. The language found in Jeremiah 6:16 sounds similar to Proverbs 8 when Wisdom is calling out to passersby...
"Listen as Wisdom calls out!
Hear as understanding raises her voice!
On the hilltop along the road,
she takes her stand at the crossroads...
she cries aloud, 'I call to you, to all of you!
I raise my voice to all people.
You simple people, use good judgment...
Everything I say is right,
for I speak the truth
and detest every kind of deception.
My advice is wholesome.
There is nothing devious or crooked in it...
I walk in righteousness,
in paths of justice."
(verses 1-2,4,6-8,20)
The Book of Proverbs is synonymous with wisdom. Proverbs 1:2 instructs the reader that its purpose is "to teach people wisdom and discipline...to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair." This is also the purpose of the whole of Scripture as evidenced in 2 Timothy 3:16:
"All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right."
In this blog post, we will discuss these ancient paths mentioned in the Bible which refer to the "old, godly way" and we'll learn how we can walk in them today. These paths point to the "way of salvation." Just as the above-mentioned trade routes were reliable and well-traveled, so too are the metaphorical 'ancient paths' that lead onward to salvation. Godly men such as Noah, Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel and so forth have traveled on these paths before us. In fact, one of the first cross-references to Jeremiah 6:16 comes from Genesis 18:18-19:
"For Abraham will certainly become a great and mighty nation, and all the nations of the earth will be blessed through him. I have singled him out so that he will direct his sons and their families to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just. Then I will do for Abraham all that I have promised."
Walking in the ancient paths is "keeping the way of the LORD" defined as doing what is right and just. How can we know what is right and just? The Bible clearly defines it for us. His Word shows us how to conduct our lives (Exodus 18:20), how to walk in His ways and fear Him (Deuteronomy 8:6) by loving Him and serving Him with all our hearts and with all our souls (Deuteronomy 10:12-13), and how to hold fast to Him (Deuteronomy 11:22). However, this looks differently for us who are in the New Covenant sealed by the blood of Christ (Luke 22:20) versus the covenant made through Moses on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:8). Paul explains this new and living way in 2 Corinthians 3:16 when he writes, "And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." The "letter" is referring to the law of Moses which he clarifies in verse 17 by specifically stating that the letter was engraved on stone which contained "the ministry of death."
On Mount Sinai, Israel entered into a covenant with the LORD when the Law was given by God through Moses. This covenant was predicated on Israel's obedience to God's laws and, in return, He would bless them beyond any other nation and give them the Promise Land as their inheritance.
"Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, 'Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: ‘...Now if you will obey me and keep My covenant, you will be My own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to Me. And you will be My kingdom of priests, My holy nation.’...So Moses returned from the mountain and called together the elders of the people and told them everything the Lord had commanded him. And all the people responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has commanded.” So Moses brought the people’s answer back to the Lord." -Exodus 19:3-8
The sinaitic covenant was conditional. The blessing of the people, as well as their possession of the Promised Land, depended upon their obedience to God's commands found in the law. However, the heart of the Father always longs to bless His people. That is why Scripture contains so many reminders from the LORD to Israel to be careful to do all that He has commanded them (Deuteronomy 5:32-33, 6:6-9, 8:2, 8:6, 10:12-13, 11:19, 11:22). He instructed them to teach His law diligently to their children and to speak about the commandments when they sat at home, when they traveled, when they came into their gates, and when they laid down to sleep. God's ways were to always be on their minds dictating their actions. When Israel was in deep rebellion, worshiping pagan "gods," and shedding innocent blood the LORD's desire (despite His fierce anger at their rebellion) was still for them to repent and turn to Him so that He could forgive them and halt the promised impending destruction (Jeremiah 36:3,7). In fact, the LORD sent numerous prophets to warn His people of the coming judgment in hopes that they would turn from their wicked ways. The Father knew that Israel would not repent and their impending punishment (outlined in the terms and conditions of the Sinai covenant) was imminent. Yet, because of His unconditional love and mercy, He gave His prophets visions of the restoration of Israel after the destruction of Jerusalem, the Temple, and the exile of His people. From Genesis, God's plan has been REDEMPTION through the Righteous Seed and not righteousness obtained by "works of the law."
As evidenced by the failure of the nation of Israel, it is impossible for mankind to keep the commandments of God. In Galatians 4:25, Apostle Paul compares the two covenants:
"Tell me, you who want to live under the law, do you know what the law actually says? The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. The son of the slave wife was born in a human attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promise. But the son of the freeborn wife was born as God’s own fulfillment of His promise. These two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants. The first woman, Hagar, represents Mount Sinai where people received the law that enslaved them. And now Jerusalem is just like Mount Sinai in Arabia, because she and her children live in slavery to the law. But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother."
What Paul is explaining here is that we are unable to fulfill God's righteous commandments because our sinful nature rebels against the ways of God. The law's purpose, then, is to reveal our need of a Savior. Therefore, God needed to bring about the fulfillment of His own promise through a Righteous Mediator who could both fulfill the law and make a new covenant based on the Spirit instead of adherence to the law. Jeremiah prophesies this promise in Chapter 31:
"The days are coming,” declares the Lord,
“when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to them,”
declares the Lord.
“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people...
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
Jeremiah also prophecies of the coming Righteous Branch in Chapter 33:
"The day will come, says the LORD, when I will do for Israel and Judah all the good things I have promised them. 'In those days and at that time I will raise up a Righteous Branch from King David's line. He will do what is just and right throughout the land. In that day Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this will be its name: 'The LORD is our Righteousness.'"
Jesus Christ is the prophesied Righteous Branch. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." He also rebuked the Pharisees in John 5:39-40 for their unbelief when He tells them:
“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to Me! Yet you refuse to come to Me to receive this life."
We must come to Jesus, the Righteous Branch, to receive this life promised from God. The law can never yield life, only condemnation.
"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death."
-Romans 8:1-4
"The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." -Romans 5:20-21
Salvation is found in Christ alone. Returning back to our theme of "ancient paths" and walking in the ways of God, Jesus proclaimed Himself as "the Way" to the Father.
"Jesus told him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.'"
He also said that He is the door to God's Presence: "So Jesus said to them again, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep." This is synonymous with the translation of "gate for the sheep." In both variations, we can see Jesus as the way for us to enter:
"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Matthew 7:13-14)
Jesus makes known to us the paths of life that lead us into the Presence of God. His is a trustworthy and well-trodden path that leads us into eternal life. His paths are those of justice, righteousness, and peace where we cease from laboring in self-righteousness and find rest for our souls.
"He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake."
-Psalm 23:3
The way in which Scripture points us to Jesus is like the topographical map that led our lost heroine back to her hiking group. Just as that map was a true, correct, and accurate standard that, when followed, led her back to the right path, likewise Jesus Christ is our true 'Standard' that leads us to the Father.
The Father's desire is for His children to ask, "Where is the good way?" and then walk in it. Following Jesus is the 'good way.' When we imitate Him and walk in His ways, we fulfill the greatest commandment of loving God and loving others (1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1, Matthew 22:37-40). As I previously mentioned, these ancient paths of salvation were laid all the way back in Genesis when Abraham had a vision of the coming Redeemer.
"The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and foretold the gospel to Abraham..."
Jesus confirmed that the gospel was indeed preached to Abraham when He said, "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day: and he saw it, and was glad" (John 8:56). From the beginning of the Bible, you can see God laying the path of justification by faith.
Paul writes that the following teaching is a trustworthy saying that is good and beneficial for everyone:
"When God our Savior revealed His kindness and love, He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of His grace He made us right in His sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life." -Titus 3:4-7
In closing, we have been made right with God the Father through Christ alone. He has generously poured out His Sprit on us which empowers us to "walk in the light of the LORD" (Isaiah 2:5) and "walk in the paths of life" (Acts 2:28). In this redeemed state, we are exhorted to be ready for every good work. Paul instructs us to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share with others. He encourages us to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11). We have discussed many spiritual principles in this post, so I want to leave you with some practical application...
1 Timothy 5:10 contains a list of good deeds which are displayed among women of faith including:
bringing up children
entertaining strangers (extending hospitality)
washing the feet of saints (serving the local church)
imparting relief to the afflicted (generously supplying food, clothing, and so forth for those in need)
devoting oneself to every good work (doing all things heartily unto the Lord and not to men)
I encourage you to use the above list as a way of "spurring yourself on toward love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24). How can you be an example of God's love to your family? In what ways can you extend hospitality to others? Does it include making a meal for someone in need or hosting a Bible study at your home? I challenge you to get creative and think outside of the box. Are you currently serving your local church? If you aren't, in what ways can you get involved and share the gifting(s) God has placed within you to build up the Body of Christ? Are you passionate about a particular cause? How can you get involved? With the holidays around the corner, how can you and your family provided relief to those who are afflicted? Let's take time to plan out some ways we can devote ourselves to every good work!
I hope this blog post has been edifying to your faith and encouraged you to examine the path you are currently on. Is it leading you deeper into the love of Christ? Is your life displaying the fruit of the Spirit? Are you ready and willing to do every good work?
The path that leads to Christ is full of peace and rest because the Prince of Peace has walked it before you and is leading you along it.
References
The Ancient Trades Routes -
When Abraham Met Jesus -
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