Misused And Abused Bible Verse- Jeremiah 6:16

There is another Bible verse that I have heard abused and misused several times this week that I think deserves an accurate explanation.  Actually there are two verses that are usually presented together.  They are Jeremiah 6:16 and Jeremiah 18:15.  Both of these verses refer to the “old” or the “ancient” paths. 

Those who misuse these verses usually say something like this:  “We need to get back to the old ways of doing things.  We need to revert back to the old-time methods and old-time standards.”  Unfortunately, you have probably heard this kind of application.

There are several problems with this kind of interpretation and application.  However, I will only mention the most egregious.   The historical and textual context is completely ignored. The paths that are being referred to are specifically the following of the one true God instead of the many false Gods. The decision to fall down and worship idols had been an obvious stumbling block to the nation of Israel.  Jeremiah was encouraging them to walk in the paths of monotheism.  The old paths specifically refer to the paths of the previous generations of Jews who had remained faithful to God.

An accurate interpretation of these verses deals very specifically with idolatry.  Any other application is outside the authors intended meaning and thus is an abuse and misuse of Scripture.  The terms “old paths” refers specifically to the paths of worshipping God instead of worshipping false gods.  It refers to remaining faithful to absolute truth instead of turning your back on God’s truth.  If that is that meaning; and it is, then based on these verses, we should be encouraging people to stay true to God’s truth and to continue to worship Him.  Although there may be many false Gods we could be worshipping we should remain in the “old paths” of the ancient Jews in worshipping the one true God.

Are there certain principles and standards to which we should be committed?  Absolutely, but we should be committed to them because they are biblical, not because they are traditional or conservative.  The standard should always be the Bible; nothing more and nothing less.  Either way, these verses are not teaching on principles or standards at all.  They are teaching on the need for the nation of Israel, in the Old Testament, to stay committed to serving and worshipping the one true God.