Ancient Paths

(Jer 6:16 ESV)  Thus says the LORD: “Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’

In this passage, the ancient ways are the well-trodden paths – those travelled by many beforehand.  God, in His mercy, had given the nation of Israel good laws to live by.  Laws that to this day are the foundation of modern jurisprudence.  Judah had watched as the northern kingdom of Israel had been invaded by Assyria and taken captive, yet her heart was still stubborn.

Before we judge Judah too harshly, let us ask ourselves how God sees modern Christianity. Saints since the day of Pentecost have handed down the faith of our fathers. Men and women of faith have died as martyrs rather than renounce the true gospel message of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

In the last generation we have decided that instead of soaring cathedrals that easily surpassed any architectural structure in town we would build multipurpose buildings that resemble every other building in the shopping mall.  Instead of hymns sang with gusto by the congregation accompanied by a thundering pipe organ we have choruses with three chords, forgettable lyrics and a soft rock beat to everything.

No longer does the pastor stand behind the sacred desk and proclaim “Thus saith the Lord!” – instead we have a life coach who sips a latte while sitting on a stool and tells us stories.  We gave up bible study because it was too boring and instead have “life groups” who “do life together”(whatever that means). 

Not everything new is bad but neither is everything old. I don’t know about you but I miss church – the pews, the hymns, the pulpit and the choir. It was comforting and reminded me of the history of the Christian faith and those who trod the ancient paths before me.

Idolatry–what is it?

Webster defines idolatry in two ways:

  1:      the worship of a physical object as a god
  2:      immoderate attachment or devotion to something

God defines it in Exodus 20:3 as “Do not have other gods besides me.” CSB

It seems pretty simple, right? Do not worship anyone besides the one true God of the Bible. So how do we worship God? By singing to Him, praying to Him, listening to pastors preach about Him and reading His own words in the Bible. It follows then, that we are not to sing about, pray to, listen to sermons about or read sacred writings of false gods.

In Deuteronomy 12:29-32 it says

29 “When the LORD your God annihilates the nations before you, which you are entering to take possession of, and you drive them out and live in their land, 30 be careful not to be ensnared by their ways after they have been destroyed before you. Do not inquire about their gods, asking, ‘How did these nations worship their gods? I’ll also do the same.’ 31 You must not do the same to the LORD your God, because they practice every detestable act, which the LORD hates, for their gods. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 Be careful to do everything I command you; do not add anything to it or take anything away from it. CSB

Did you catch the part about being ensnared?  It can happen so easily.  Especially if the only sermons or bible studies you’ve heard about idolatry pass it off as something only Old Testament people did with carved statutes.  Or maybe it was hedonism or materialism that was the explanation.

What if though modern day Christians were actually worshipping other gods? What if the modern church was actually condoning practicing the worship styles and practices of other religions? Sounds crazy. Would your church offer a class on praying to a Hindu god? The teacher might be wearing gym clothes and everyone brought a mat.  There are different poses and stretches designed to awaken the kundalini spirit at the base of your spine and enable your inner man to communicate with the Hindu gods.

Or perhaps the god that you and your children love to read about, talk about and see movies of is named Lucifer?  He comes dressed as a school boy and learns to conjure and cast spells.How enchanting! Forget about all those admonitions in that dusty old Bible about not practicing witchcraft and sorcery! (sarcasm here)

Folks if we can’t get the first commandment down pat it’s no wonder 2-10 are hard! As I read through the bible every year, I notice the one thing that upsets God the most – idolatry.  He warned Israel about it through Moses and sent prophet after prophet to tell people to repent but they didn’t listen.

Are we any different today?