The Way Of Life
Jeremiah 21:8 says, “And unto this people thou shalt say, Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I set before you the way of life, and the way of death.”
Jeremiah proclaimed this prophecy from the Lord about “the way of life, and the way of death,” to king Zedekiah (v. 3). If they surrender and yield themselves to “Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon” (v. 7), then they shall live. But if they fight and stay in their city, then they “shall die” (v. 9)! In order for them to live, they would have to go into captivity in Babylon for “seventy years” (Jer 29:10). The “way of life is above to the wise” (Prov 15:24), which means that Zedekiah must humbly “seek the Lord” (1 Chr 16:11), and follow after godly counsel (Prov 19:20).
However, if he follows his own ways, it would lead to death (Prov 14:12). Sadly, Zedekiah did not want to surrender, so he stayed and fought (Jer 28:4). He followed what seemed right in his own eyes (Jer 34:5)! Many people also died and Judah was destroyed (Jer 34:22). The way of life would have been an obvious choice for Zedekiah. But pride got on the way, which led to his fall (Prov 16:18). The way of life often requires “reproofs of instruction” (Prov 6:23), which people who are full of pride refuse (Prov 10:17)! The Holy Spirit came to “reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment” (Jn 16:8). Sinners hate to be reproved (Prov 12:1), especially if they are told that the consequences of sin is everlasting punishment in hell (Mt 25:46).
These self-righteous people don’t like to be told what to do, just as Zedekiah rejected Jeremiah’s prophecy and reproof, which led to his horrible death! Only Jesus can give eternal life (Jn 14:6). When we trusted Him as our Lord and Saviour by faith (Rom 10:9), He continues to give us reproofs of instruction; not to keep us saved, but to keep us in the way of life (2 Tim 3:16); growing spiritually (2 Pet 3:18), and bearing “the fruit of the Spirit” (Gal 5:22)! God bless you!
- Pastor Melito Barrera
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