{"id":16195,"date":"2023-09-01T08:12:24","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T14:12:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bibleinteract.com\/?p=16195"},"modified":"2023-09-01T08:12:27","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T14:12:27","slug":"%f0%9f%93%84-here-comes-the-groom-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bibleinteract.com\/?p=16195","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udcc4 The Ancient Path"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n


by Flor M. Diaz<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Jeremiah 6:16 we read, \u201cThis is what the Lord says: \u2018Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it. Then you will find a resting place for your souls.\u2019 But they said, \u2018We will not walk in it<\/em>.\u2019\u201d (NASB)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAncient paths,\u201d these words have an epic ring about them. \u201cAncient\u201d is a word that certainly evoques things past, something old to be reminisced and pondered. The Hebrew for \u201cancient paths\u201d in Jeremiah\u2019s prophecy is \u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05d1\u05b9\u05d5\u05ea \u05e2\u05b9\u05d5\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd (netivot olam). <\/em>These words are most relevant to the prophet\u2019s message and bring about a truth to be taken to heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The term \u201cpaths\u201d (netivot,) <\/em>is the plural of \u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1 (nativ), <\/em>which means a path traced. It is a way made (by the feet); a path created by people\u2019s steps. The inference by the prophet is to follow a path that has already been made and is well prepared by the feet of the righteous. A path indeed created as they \u201cwalked the walk\u201d required by a Righteous King.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Interestingly, however, in another text (18:15) Jeremiah again speaks of \u201cancient paths,\u201d at times translated as \u201cancient roads.\u201d The prophet says: \u201cYet my people have forgotten me; they have offered sacrifices to a lie. And so they have stumbled along the way, even along the ancient paths. They have taken side roads, not the main roads\u201d (ESV). These \u201cancient paths\u201d shed a totally different light because the Hebrew here is \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b9\u05d5\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd (sh\u2019vilei olam)<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sh\u2019vil<\/em> means a way; a road; a path. Yet its root \u05e9\u05b9\u05c1\u05d1\u05b6\u05dc (shovel),<\/em> means a flowing skirt, a train; a lady’s train (as trailing after her). The application here for \u201cancient paths\u201d (sh\u2019vilei olam<\/em>) is the way that everyone follows. It is the way that most \u201cflow\u201d into as they follow the crowd. This is a busy path. It is a wide road, like a highway (\u05e1\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b8\u05bd\u05d4 selul\u00e1h<\/em>). Many refuse to walk in the right path, (\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1\u05b9\u05d5\u05ea \u05d3\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8\u05b6\u05da netivot derech<\/em>), preferring the wide and easy road. This prophetic admonition is directly related to the “wide way” as opposed to the “narrow way” mentioned by Messiah Yeshua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEnter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad<\/strong> that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 1<\/sup><\/strong>For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted<\/strong> that leads to life, and there are few who find it\u2026\u201d Matthew 7:13<\/p>\n\n\n\n

13<\/sup>\u05d4\u05dc\u05db\u05d5 \u05d3\u05e8\u05da<\/strong> \u05d4\u05e4\u05ea\u05d7 \u05d4\u05e6\u05e8, \u05db\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e9\u05d1\u05d9\u05dc<\/strong> \u05d4\u05de\u05d5\u05d1\u05d9\u05dc \u05dc\u05d0\u05d1\u05d3\u05d5\u05df \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05e8\u05d7\u05d1, \u05d5\u05e9\u05e2\u05e8 \u05d4\u05db\u05e0\u05d9\u05e1\u05d4 \u05e8\u05d7\u05d1 \u05d2\u05dd \u05d4\u05d5\u05d0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Ha\u2019Brit Chadashah Ha’Derech \u2013 Israel Biblical Society)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The way<\/strong> to the wide gate is broad <\/strong>and leads to destruction. The term here is \u05e9\u05d1\u05d9\u05dc (sh\u2019vil) <\/em>as can be seen in the Hebrew text above, echoing the words of the prophet Jeremiah. The wide way is the sh\u2019vilei olam<\/em>; the easy one to find and follow because of the many that walk it. Yet the narrow way, \u05d4\u05dc\u05db \u05d3\u05e8\u05da (halach derech),<\/em> literally, a way walked through, refers to the nativ olam, <\/em>the way of righteousness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Messiah\u2019s words however, point to a greater challenge. The \u201cancient paths\u201d of the righteous men of old, the way paved by their very own feet (their very lives); those netivot olam<\/em>, were found by others who could then follow the way already prepared by their testimony and example. What a challenge is laid before us! Will our own feet (lives) trace, pave and prepare a good path that others can find, step into, and follow?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something old to be reminisced, pondered, and evaluated as we step into the Fall Feasts. Something to be stepped into and followed beyond!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many blessings!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAncient paths,\u201d these words have an epic ring about them. \u201cAncient\u201d is a word that certainly evoques things past, something old to be reminisced and pondered. <\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Please give us your thoughts on this article!<\/p>\n\n\n\n