Preached by the Rev. D. M. Macdonald, Portree, at
Inverness, 17th May 1927.
“Thus saith the Lord, stand 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” (Jeremiah vi. 16).
THE prophet Jeremiah lived in evil times, and it was his duty frequently not only to rebuke his fellow-countrymen for their sins, but also to warn them of the impending wrath of God, unless they should repent of their iniquities. In this chapter he prophesies that Judah would be invaded by a terrible foe, who should show no compassion, would cause general consternation, and lay the country waste. He mentions the causes of these desolating judgments. These were oppression, contempt of the Word of God, worldliness, treachery of the prophets, impudence in sin and obstinacy against reproofs. In our own nation at present these sins are prevalent. Oppression for conscience sake happens here and there, although people may not hear much about it. Contempt for God’s Word is shown in many different ways. It has not the place in the home it used to have. Some portions of it are not considered inspired by those who are wise in their own conceits. In every sphere of life disobedience to its holy precepts is shown. We live in a materialistic age, and worldliness is its dominant note. The prophets in Jeremiah’s time were treacherous to their trust and to the souls of the people. So it is with many now who proclaim themselves to be the servants of God, and yet think it a trifling matter to break ordination vows, declare false doctrine, and deceive the souls of those under them. Impudence in sin and obstinacy against reproofs go well together. The one may be regarded as the result of the other, and both imply a seared conscience and a hardened heart. Individuals and nations that manifest both these characteristics are hastening to ruin.
While the prophet charges their sins upon them, he exhorts them in the name of the Lord to stand in the ways and see, to ask for the old paths, and to walk therein. If they should do this he promises them rest for their souls.
In considering the text, we shall notice first the Exhortation, and in the second place the Promise.
I. The Exhortation.
Stand in the ways and see. He wished them to consider whether they were in the right way or not. Just as a traveller, when in doubt of the road, begins to inquire which way will bring him to his journey’s end. If a wise man he does not proceed rashly on his journey. He first makes sure that he is on the right way. Multitudes never consider whether they are in the right way to heaven or not. Many assume that they are without any warrant for their assumption, and others treat the matter with indifference. The people of God were at one time like this, but they saw their folly through the gracious teaching of the Holy Spirit, and when He convinced* them of sin they could find no rest until they fled to Him who is mighty to save. In Jesus they obtained peace and abiding satisfaction. Through the exercise of faith in Him they were justified and made partakers of the blessings that He has procured for His people. Their desire now is to live unto Him who loved them and gave Himself for them. It is to be feared that many in this age are like the Church of Laodicea. They have a name to live and are dead. A mere empty profession satisfies them. They are like the husk without the kernel, or the lamp without oil. Why, the question was asked long ago by one of the worthy ministers of Ross-shire, are there so many bankrupt professors in our day? He answered by saying—”Because they started without any capital.”
It is evident that many in the professing Church at this period had departed from sound doctrine, orthodox worship, and scriptural practice. The appeal of other religions was too strong to be resisted, for there were elements in them that ministered to carnal tastes, while they made no demand for holy living and self-denial. Old standards were now regarded as obsolete, and it was considered much better to follow the trend of fashion in religion as well as in other matters. With them it was not a question of “What saith the Lord?” but “What saith man?” What are the views propounded by the false prophets and the leaders of thought? Let us follow them and all shall be well. Such was their false reasoning, and this led to utterly wrong views of truth and duty.
When one surveys present religious conditions impartially, one cannot but see a parallel between our own times and those of Jeremiah. The decline from orthodoxy has made long strides during the present generation. First, some of the doctrines of the Word began to be questioned, and many who wished to appear learned and in advance of the times boldly declared that they did not believe in the plenary inspiration of the Bible, the fall, or the substitutionary sacrifice of Jesus on behalf of guilty sinners. These ideas became widespread, and to-day comparatively few have sound views on the doctrines of grace. People do not want to hear that they are sinners, as was hinted to a minister in a certain place when told that he was not to mention sin to the congregation. How true the Saviour’s declamation is, “The whole need not a physician but they who are sick.” “Ask for the old paths,” said the prophet, “where is the good way, and walk therein.” He would have them to consult the record of God’s dealings with men and the experiences of their pious ancestors. The patriarchs believed themselves to be sinners needing a Saviour. The prophets likewise felt their own unworthiness, and rested on the Messiah for salvation. In all ages the Church acknowledged that she was utterly undone in herself, but saved through the merit and grace of her glorious Redeemer. By accepting the doctrines believed in by their forefathers, they would be doing their duty, and would find them profitable to their souls. Truth does not change. The needs of the soul are always the same. Therefore, it is the unchanging Word of God that can bring abiding satisfaction to the souls of men.
The old paths were not right merely because they were old. They were right because they were marked out by God as the paths of truth and righteousness, and they proved in human experience to be the ways of peace and happiness. The saints in all the ages took the Word as their guide, and walked according to its precepts. Through faith and patience they inherited the promises, but we need not expect to inherit them unless we walk in their footsteps.
We cannot expect the Holy Spirit to bless preaching that is contrary to the teaching of Scripture, and does not give the Lord Jesus the place that rightfully belongs to Him. When vital godliness is low, the spirit of discernment disappears, and people are ready to accept any kind of doctrine. Like some of those mentioned in the city of Nineveh, they know not their right hand from their left in spiritual matters. How sad to think that there is a generation growing up in our land who know not their Bibles, never hear the truth, as it is in Jesus declared, and never see a worthy Christian example set before them!
It was the Gospel proclaimed in its purity that rung the death-knell of Popery in Europe and ushered in the glorious Reformation. The countries that accepted it prospered amazingly, whereas many of those that rejected it are on the down-grade still. During a considerable part of the eighteenth century Britain was in a very low condition, morally and spiritually, owing to the widespread ignorance of the people and their indifference to the Christian religion. Revolutionary notions from France found a place in the minds of some, and there was a danger that these ideas might bring about a revolution in the nation. Fortunately at this juncture God raised up faithful preachers in many different places, and they were the means of saving the country from ruin. Multitudes were converted. Atheism, Infidelity, and “Moderatism” were checked, while all over the land the doctrines of grace were received by the people gladly, and evangelical religion obtained a firm footing. We are firmly convinced that nothing will save our country from degenerating but the glorious Gospel of Christ. If it were proclaimed throughout the land as it used to be the cause of Christ would be revived, and the language of the inspired writer should be fulfilled. “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.”
We have reason to ask for the old paths and the good way in regard to the public worship of God. That was a good rule formulated by the Westminster Divines: “That which was not commanded was forbidden in the worship of the sanctuary.” The modern trend of worship is distinctly Romewards. Ritualistic practices are being introduced into Presbyterian Churches, and, in not a few, the services, in order to attract the indifferent and careless, resemble more a sacred concert than a solemn assembly meeting for the worship of God. Such services soon pall, and the people become more indifferent than ever. It is useless for the Church to compete with the world in such matters, for they are sure to be outstripped.
They that worship the Father, it is written, must worship Him in spirit and in truth. The mode of worship has been prescribed by the example of the Saviour and His apostles. They read the Old Testament Scriptures, prayed and sang Psalms. The division of the Psalter into psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs by the Apostle Paul shows that it was not uninspired hymns that were used by the early Church in public worship, but the divinely-inspired Psalms. Their example should suffice for us, and we can never go wrong in following it. Ornate and musical services may please carnal tastes, but they can never please Him who wants heart worship, and to whom the broken spirit and contrite heart are an acceptable sacrifice. We are, as a Church, following the New Testament mode of worship, and let us never depart from it.
We are under obligation to follow the old paths in regard to discipline and practice. Without discipline a Church is like a ship without a rudder. The modern professor of religion can indulge in all sorts of sinful pleasures without being taken to task. In many cases a person has been made a communicant without being asked whether he was converted or not, and without giving any proofs that he has been savingly changed. It is no wonder that a graceless profession abounds, and that discipline is scarcely ever exercised, except in the case of scandalous sins. Even then the offences may be glossed over and explained away. All sorts of heresies may be proclaimed in the pulpit, and there is nothing done. Some Churches profess to follow the Westminster Standards, yet their practice is very much at variance with their profession. They say one thing and do another. While wise and wholesome discipline is neglected no Church need expect to be of any use in furthering the Redeemer’s Kingdom. Let it be our aim in humble dependence on the grace of the Lord Jesus to follow the old paths in doctrine, worship, and practice set before us by Prophets, Apostles, Reformers and Martyrs in the generations that have passed. This has been proved time and again to be the good way that ends in eternal blessedness, for the redeemed of the Lord have walked in it right down to the present moment.
In the second place we shall notice briefly the promise—”Ye shall find rest for your souls.” It is in His own Word that God reveals the way of life. The Lord Jesus proclaimed Himself as the way, the truth, and the life. Old Testament believers knew Him as the way because they embraced Him by faith. Apart from Him there can be neither rest nor peace for the souls of men. “Come unto me,” He said, “all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Can wealth, power, position, and worldly honours satisfy the soul? Never! It has been the universal experience of mankind that these things cannot give peace. The soul being immortal and sinful, can never find rest but in a Divine Saviour, and it is through faith in Him that sinners are forgiven and made partakers of the great salvation wrought out by Him through His obedience and sufferings unto death.
In the midst of trials, afflictions, and temptations, the children of God have peace in their adorable Saviour. He promised that it should be so, and He has never failed to fulfil His promise. The end of the righteous shall be peace, and there remains for them an eternal rest in the many mansions of their Father’s house in glory. To all who walk in Christ as the good way the promise shall be fulfilled—” Ye shall find rest for your souls.”
If Judah had obeyed the Lord at this time they would have obtained not only personal or soul rest, but also social, ecclesiastical, and national rest. There was more or less of social unrest owing to the condition of the people. Covetousness was a common sin, and this would give rise to envy, greed and ill-will to others. Acceptance of Gospel principles would do away with a great deal of the social unrest of our times. The remedy is at hand if people would only have the commonsense to use it.
The teaching of the false prophets in Judah was flatly opposed to the doctrines of God’s servants, and the people of God could not countenance idolatry, with the result that there was ecclesiastical dispeace. Ahab called Elijah the troubler of Israel, whereas it was he himself that troubled Israel by his evil deeds. It is always the sign of a bad case when men resort to abuse, and it is not those who adhere to the truth that cause divisions and strife, but those who depart from it. This is conveniently ignored by those who are in reality responsible for the present ecclesiastical divisions in Scotland, and it is only by conforming to the Word of God in doctrine, worship, and practice that these divisions can be healed.
Last of all, Judah would have national rest if they should have done as God required of them, but they would not. The Chaldeans swept down upon their land, bringing death and ruin, so that multitudes perished and many were brought away into captivity. May we not say that the Great War was a chastisement on the nations for their sins, and unless they learn righteousness, God may bring the scourge of war on them again. Since the end of the War our nation has not improved. It is a matter of common observation that morals are on the decline, and unless we profit by God’s dealings with us in the past, He may bring severe temporal judgments on us in the future. The path of national peace and prosperity is made plain to us in the words of our text—” Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein.” Amen.
Grace tried is better than grace, it is more than grace, it is glory in its infancy.—Rutherford