Two Paths

When Jeremiah spoke of the ancient paths, he did not speak of an easier way.  Neither did he speak of of an expedient or convenient way.  Instead he spoke in the name of the Lord to the people saying, "...the ancient paths, where the good way lies, and walk in it, and find rest for your souls."  (Jeremiah 6:16).  Now it is true that the good way might be defined in a thousand different ways according to individual perspectives, but it is an Old Testament Word which brings to mind something John, the Apostle, recorded in his Jesus narrative.  In what is one of the most quoted chapters in Scripture, we hear Jesus saying, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life..."  (John 14:6)      

What makes the ancient way difficult for some to see is the fact that it is first and foremost the way made by God and one that has been embraced by those who have sought to live in faithfulness to the divine order.  We live in a day when the way of God has become an anachronism, something which can be shaped to fit inside personal opinion, and something which when shaped enables us to be comfortable with the common consensus of the status quo.  Too many are quick to run to this broad and all inclusive way even though Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, "Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road is easy that leads to destruction..."  (Matthew 7:13)   

These are sad and troubling times.  The options to the ancient path are so enticing.  So many times we come to a place of believing that we can walk on two paths at the same time.  The ancient Hebrews who came to the Promised Land learned a compromise which enabled them to worship Yahweh while they kept idols to Baal on a mantle within their home.  We can only worship one or the other.  We can only put our feet on one path or the other.  The choices are the ancient path which leads to rest for the soul, or the wider way full of compromise which leads to destruction.