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Old Paths

Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by Rufus_1611, Jan 18, 2007.

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  1. Rufus_1611

    Rufus_1611 New Member

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    Continued from The poison of dragons thread...

    "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. But they said, We will not walk therein." - Jeremiah 6:16​

    What does this verse mean to you? Does it mean we shouldn't use the internet or indoor plumbing or does it have a more deeper meaning? What are some of the old paths you are seeking?
     
    #1 Rufus_1611, Jan 18, 2007
  2. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    The age of a "path" doesn't make it good or bad. Some traditions of yesteryear are great. Some are not. Some newer traditions are great, some stink and won't last. What works? What reaches people for Christ? What gets the Word in the hands of lost people? What takes the Gospel to people who've never heard? These are the things we focus on... no matter how old they are.
     
    #2 Joshua Rhodes, Jan 18, 2007
  3. guitarpreacher

    guitarpreacher New Member

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    In the beginning was the Word. God established eternal truth before he laid the foundations of this world. We should always seek out that eternal "Ancient" truth. Has nothing to do with traditions or modern conveniences. Read it from the NLT:

    This is what the Lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
     
    #3 guitarpreacher, Jan 18, 2007
  4. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Context: the Lord, angry at His peoples' desertion of His ways, speaks of Jerusalem's destruction through the prophet.

    "Old Paths"--the ways shown to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob by the Lord. Ways that have been long-forgotten by His people.

    IMO, we make a mistake when we apply this verse to matters of preference. This is God saying, "Even though your fathers have turned from me, I'm still here. Turn to me, before judgement comes." It is an offer of mercy and forgiveness, before justice is meted out (I think of the "If my people..." in 2 Chronicles 7:14).

    "Old paths" is so much deeper than music, versions, hemlines, or other controversies...it is a testament to God's mercy: that the crossroads (KJV "the ways") is even pointed out to sinful folk like me.

    I think this verse gets mis-applied sometimes to justify one's views on controversial issues. To me, that ignores the depth of the passage. Not to mention..."old paths" doesn't mean hearkening back to the "good ol' days;" it means seeking God while He may be found.
     
    #4 rbell, Jan 18, 2007
  5. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    Rufus, if it's all the same to you, I'd much rather you use indoor plumbing.

    You don't need Jeremiah's permission...:tongue3: :laugh:
     
    #5 rbell, Jan 18, 2007
  6. Rufus_1611

    Rufus_1611 New Member

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    I would encourage leaving the crossroads to folks like Maccio, Vai, Clapton and Johnson.
     
    #6 Rufus_1611, Jan 18, 2007
  7. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    :confused:
    enlighten me...
     
    #7 rbell, Jan 18, 2007
  8. Rufus_1611

    Rufus_1611 New Member

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    Rest assured. It's 36 degrees here in Texas and I thank God for the blessings of warm porcelain. Btw...Good argument on the previous post...I disagree of course... but good argument ;)
     
    #8 Rufus_1611, Jan 18, 2007
  9. Rufus_1611

    Rufus_1611 New Member

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    Ralph Maccio and Steve Vai from the movie Crossroads that was an allusion to Robert Johnson selling his soul to the devil at the Crossroads in MS. Clapton because of his famous song about it.
     
    #9 Rufus_1611, Jan 18, 2007
  10. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    I see, said the blind man.

    I stand enlightened.:thumbs:
     
    #10 rbell, Jan 18, 2007
  11. guitarpreacher

    guitarpreacher New Member

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    You do realize that was all Vai, right? Maccio didn't play. Didn't act very well either, IMHO

    Clapton and Johnson - now we're talking! :thumbsup:
     
    #11 guitarpreacher, Jan 18, 2007
  12. Rufus_1611

    Rufus_1611 New Member

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    I'm aware. I suspect Vai gets his skills from the same source Johnson did.
     
    #12 Rufus_1611, Jan 18, 2007
  13. Joshua Rhodes

    Joshua Rhodes <img src=/jrhodes.jpg>

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    Ouch......
     
    #13 Joshua Rhodes, Jan 18, 2007
  14. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Well, I've been reading over this and here's my opinion....you knew I'd have to give it. Ha! :laugh:

    Seriously though, God is very angry in Jeremiah, chapter 6. Why?

    I think the answer is in two verses. Verse 10 and verse 20.

    Verse 10 says that the people won't listen to God anymore. They have turned a deaf ear to Him. They despise His Word and they do not delight in God anymore.

    Hmmm.....

    Yet they continue in their religious traditions. Why would they do that if they don't delight in God anymore?

    Verse 20 says this. God asks them what is the purpose of their burning incense, especially incense from foreign lands. He tells them that their burnt offerings are not acceptable and that their sacrifices are not acceptable.

    Why aren't their regilious traditions acceptable?

    Because they have become just that....traditional. Having no meaning. Empty of the two things that I believe are the "old paths".

    The old paths aren't burning of incense or the sacrificing and burning of animals. God says very plainly in verse 20 that these things are now unacceptable.

    For us today, the old paths aren't the Broadman Hymnal (although I love it!) nor dresses nor abstainence from wine (although I do abstain) nor the KJ Bible (although I read it) nor Sunday School nor Vacation Bible School nor revivals nor Wednesday night prayer meeting.

    There's nothing wrong with any of those things. I adhere to most of them. But they aren't the old paths.

    The people who were making God sooooo angry were doing all of the things that they had always done as far as religious traditions. It isn't the traditional behavior that God wants. He wants us to delight in Him.

    God rebuked them and invited the whole world to watch (verse 19).

    They were not following the old paths. The old paths are not works nor legalism. The old paths are faithfulness and holiness.

    I can be faithful and holy in a pair of slacks or a dress.

    I can take delight in my God singing from a Broadman hymanal or singing along with Audio Adrenaline.

    As long as I am in drawing attention to the LORD in my actions, lifestyle, mannerisms, dress, and speech, then I can delight in God however He wants me to.

    The old paths are faithfulness and holiness.

     
    #14 Scarlett O., Jan 18, 2007
  15. tinytim

    tinytim <img src =/tim2.jpg>

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    Amen Scarlett... Preach it..... ooops did I just say that?

    That is the best exegeisis I have seen on that passage.
     
    #15 tinytim, Jan 18, 2007
  16. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    I cannot take any credit for anything that God reveals, so I say this to you very humbly....

    If God revealed this to me this morning by my reading verse 16 in the context of the entirety of chapter 6, then what might he reveal to us here on this thread about the old paths if we put the verse in context of the entire book?

    And what might God reveal to us on the Baptist Board if we put the need for faithfulness and holiness in the context of the entire bible....by reading our bibles more and delighting in doing so?

    Makes one think....makes one ashamed and humble.
     
    #16 Scarlett O., Jan 18, 2007
  17. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    Amen, Scarlett O., Preach it!

    Seriously, you've given us much to think about. Thanks.
     
    #17 SBCPreacher, Jan 18, 2007
  18. lbaker

    lbaker New Member

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    Actually, it was Robert Johnson who wrote, or at least recorded "Crossroads" originally, way back in the '30s.

    Les
     
    #18 lbaker, Jan 19, 2007
  19. Citizen

    Citizen New Member

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    As I stated in that thread, there is a problem with taking this verse too literally.

    People want to pitch a tent where God has been, instead of following where he is going.

    Besides that, which old paths are you adhering to? Are you wearing robes and sandals in church? Are you speaking Kione Greek?
     
    #19 Citizen, Jan 19, 2007
  20. SBCPreacher

    SBCPreacher Active Member
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    Thanks citizen, that's a great statement. As some of my preacher buddies say, "That'll Preach!"
     
    #20 SBCPreacher, Jan 19, 2007
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