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Learn lessons from the past
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Paul wrote, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Rom. 15:4).

Many people fail to see the significance of studying the Bible, and especially the Old Testament. A good study of the entire Bible helps one to come to a better knowledge of God.

God is a merciful but just God. The people of God have turned away from his teachings many times in the history of man. God has not given up on man, but with each instance has provided a way for them to come back to him, if they will do so.

Jeremiah described Israel’s departure from God in Jeremiah 6:10-16. The prophet’s words fell on deaf ears that refused to listen to God.

Jeremiah’s writings show how stubborn the people to whom Jeremiah preached really were. They determined not to listen to God. Their lives were full of sin and they enjoyed wallowing in its mire.

Things for which they should have been ashamed, they felt no remorse. The punishment of God was going to come upon them, and they had no fear. Man, today also refuses to listen to the truth of God’s word and one day God will punish them.

God’s word is given so that man can know the direction God desire’s him to follow.

Jeremiah wrote, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

Man does not have to “direct his own steps” God’s word is to be used as a guide. This word is a “lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway” (Psalm 119:105).

The people of Jeremiah’s day did not “delight” in the word of God. Man’s reaction to God’s word should be joy. Following God will lead one to heaven.

The people of Jeremiah’s time were willing to listen to false teachers (v.14). While Jeremiah was telling them what God thought about them, and what would happen if they did not repent, the false teachers were “tickling” their ears with words of peace and good times.

They should have listened to God’s prophet, but they failed to do so. Today there are those who will preach whatever is wanted by the masses, but only the true word of God will save.

When this people committed abomination, they were not the least bit ashamed of their sins (v.15). They had lived a sinful life for so long they could not even blush.

Their sins are talked about throughout the book of Jeremiah. They were guilty of adultery, idolatry, murder, drunkenness, etc. They lived in open rebellion against God and felt no remorse.

Many practice these same activities today, failing to follow God. These things were and still are an abomination before God. Man must come to his senses or else he will be lost.

The prophet gave them the cure for all their sins, but they rejected the cure (v.16). The cure for them was to turn back to God and his word. The cure today for all is to turn back to God and his word. Man must go back to it and follow it.

Paul wrote to the Galatians, “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Gal. 1:6, 7).

While many today would try and pervert the gospel, one must seek out the truth of God’s word and walk in the “old paths.” Much can be learned from the past, the question is will anyone take the time to study the past?

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