Paths and prophets

Ancient paths. The image fixed in my mind is a smooth clay trail in the bamboo forest. A path of my childhood. Worn by years of feet traveling from one ridge to the next. Winding through the valley. Around boulders and past simple thatch homes.

It’s an old path. A good path. That takes me where I need to go.

Ask about the ancient paths

I watch for paths in the Word of God. Written in the stories and psalms and prophecies.

In Jeremiah’s day, the people prefer prophets and priests that predict “Peace, peace.” Who treat their brokenness superficially. Covering over the doom and gloom with a veneer of false promises.

Their hearts have grown cold. Hard.

The prophet Jeremiah announces, “The Lord says, ‘Stand by the roadways and look. Ask about the ancient paths, ‘Which is the way to what is good?’ Then take it and find rest for yourselves’” (Jeremiah 6:16).

“We won’t”

Do they stand and look? Do they ask about the good way?  Do they take it and find rest?

No. They protest. “We won’t!”

And when he continues urging, they respond, “We won’t listen.” Just to be clear. 

Their disobedience leads to disaster.

“Make His paths straight!”

Fast forward several hundred years. Another prophet is in prison. And not just any prophet.

This is the camel-hair-and-leather-wear prophet. Who keeps a diet of locusts and wild honey. John the Baptist. 

His wilderness sermons upset the status quo. And rattle a king in his palace. 

John is the voice crying out in the desert to “Prepare the way for the Lord; make His paths straight!” (Isaiah 40:3, Matthew 3:3). Calling them all to repent.

Calling out the religious

All. Including the religious leaders and teachers. Those steeped in the law and prophets. Who memorize even the jots and tittles of their scrolls.

They’ve come to see what the uproar is all about. They stand on the sidelines. Watching. 

The prophet calls them out in no uncertain terms.

“Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance…” And, by the way, don’t presume you have salvation by inheritance. (Matthew 3:7-12)

The unresponsive

Do they listen? And repent? Few do.

Jesus affirms John’s role in the kingdom. Calls him their Elijah. Then notes why that generation is unresponsive. 

Because John isn’t dancing to their tune. And neither is He. 

They want soft robes and palaces and political power. John speaks the unvarnished truth. The simple and straight path. The Word of the Lord.

So close and yet so far

When the Word became flesh and dwelt among them, the religious were the ones who should have recognized Him. From all that was prophesied in their scrolls. 

But they didn’t ask, “which is the way to what is good?”  

They protested. Threatened. Closed their ears.  Had Him arrested.

They were so close and yet so far.  

Missing the Path

In their bothered and busy refusal to believe, they missed the ancient Path right before their very eyes. The good Path. The One who would take them where they needed to go.

For Jesus is the Path to righteousness and life. The only way to the Father.

In this day and age there are still those who think He will dance to their tune. And tickle their ears. They are mistaken.

Lord, have mercy. Soften their hearts. Open their eyes.

“Make Your ways known to me, Lord;
teach me Your paths.”
Psalm 25:4

related posts

The way of life – The new year – Follow Me – Travelers – Tents and altars – Repent and believe