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“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. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken,” Jeremiah 6:16-17.

Rev Samuel Fitton, minister of Kilskeery Free Presbyterian Church, preached upon the verse 16 at both services on the Lord’s Day past. He has chosen it as the motto text for the new year. His exposition was most instructive and I commend both messages. The messages may be viewed here and here. There was a problem with the sound in the evening broadcast but it was restored before the preaching begins, so simply fast forward to about 30 minutes into the recording.

Companion

This text has been a long time companion of mine from when I first encountered it. It took on greater importance for me when in my first year in the Free Presbyterian Theological Hall, Dr Bert Cooke said with his unique way of emphasising a truth, ‘Jeremiah is the book for today!’

I was moved to study it closely during my three month stay in the Crumlin Road Jail, back sixty years ago in 1966. I have seen repeatedly and increasingly the truth of Dr Cooke’s words as the years have passed and the apostasy has deepened and impacted upon those who foolishly have seen fit to try and narrow the gap between the apostasy and the Lord’s separated witness!

Whispered

The response of the disobedient and defiant, recorded twice here — “We will not walk therein . . .  We will not hearken”  — may be heard whispered amongst our ranks. That is alarming and frightening for any who believe what the Lord says in the verses that follow our text!

Please consider . . .

I. THE COMMAND OF GOD PLAINLY GIVEN.

“Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths . . .”

These words carry all the authority of heaven! They are not the product of Jeremiah’s mind or heart, though of course he was in complete agreement with what is said by the Lord. No, this was a divine directive to a confused and deceived people in need of direction. (more…)

Luke 21:5-38

“And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish. In your patience possess ye your souls,” Luke 21:13-19.

In our last study, the concluding  point that we made was:—

FROM IMMEDIATELY AFTER CHRIST’S ASCENSION UNTIL HIS RETURN, HIS PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED AT THE HANDS OF AN ANTAGONISTIC AND HOSTILE WORLD!

As is stated in verse 12, before the events of the later times of the Saviour’s absence from us, there will come persecution. “But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you . . .”

In truth, there never has been a time when the persecuting of the people of God was not taking place.

Yes, there have been times of comparative quiet, when God’s people were unmolested. But other times the flames of cruel hatred have raged hot.

Stephen

Stephen, the first martyr of the Gospel era, asked this question of the Sanhedrin, before which he had been summoned to give an answer to the charges laid against him by the “Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia,” Acts 6:9:

“Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers,” Acts 7:52.

That question makes it clear that the message of God and His messengers have always been opposed, even unto death.

Here, in verse 12, the Saviour warns His disciples that such a spirit of antagonism will continue throughout the intervening years before His return in glory.

We come now to a new section – verses 13-19.

I. SUCH TIMES OF OPPRESSION BECOME OPPORTUNITIES TO WITNESS.

“And it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.” (more…)