The “ancient path” that Jeremiah refers to in 6:16 is the path of faith: trusting God and believing His Word. God simply wants people to trust Him. It began in the Garden of Eden when God, because He loved them and wanted only the best for them, explained that if they ate from that tree it would result in death coming into the world. He wanted them to trust Him on this. In God’s instructions for life to us, He is not keeping good things from us either, but instructing us on how to live healthy and happy lives. It’s all about believing God’s Word and trusting Him. But Adam & Eve chose not to pay attention to God and trust Him. Thus, death came into the world.

To understand verse 17 of Jeremiah chapter 6, one has to recognize that in Scripture the trumpet blast was the “voice” of God (See Exodus 19, Hebrews 16, Revelation 1:10, 4:1).  Jeremiah is calling the Israelites and you and me to pay attention to God. Listen to what He has to say and trust Him to have our best interest foremost in mind. God is not interested in perfect people, but in anyone who will trust him and believe His word. But, like Adam & Eve, the Israelites were not interested. Jeremiah writes, “I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Pay attention to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not pay attention.’”

It’s no different today! God is not interested in perfect people. Check out Abraham, David, Peter and Paul. He simply wants us to pay attention and listen to his voice (The trumpet blast) and trust His promises. While speaking to those who hated Him because He made Himself “equal to God,” Jesus said in John 5:24-26, “Truly, truly, I tell you; whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life. Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.” This is what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”