POSTED 27 DECEMBER, 2009

Walking Ancient Paths in Modern Times

by Mark Huey
mark@outreachisrael.net

reproduced from the McHuey Blog

In recent months, due to life circumstances and numerous intimate interactions with family and friends—attempting to put words to the inevitable reality of human mortality—the conflicting contrast of worldviews was impossible to avoid. For the great majority of these conversations, I remained relatively silent about my eternal perspective, because quite frankly, the words of Paul to the Corinthians often came to mind. Most of the people I have been interacting with view life from an entirely secular and/or natural mindset:

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him [Isaiah 40:13]? But we have the mind of Messiah” (1 Corinthians 2:12-16).

Knowing that some of my family, and most of their loving friends, were primarily natural people—rather than cast forth pearls of spiritual wisdom that would be unappreciated—I have been relegated to listening to vain philosophies about: the cosmos, a Hindu philosopher named Rumi, reincarnation, and annihilation after death. However, when given just a glimmer of light into the hearts and souls of these sincerely caring people, I was quick and firm to declare the resurrection hope that is within me! Of course, where those words fell (the soil of the heart according to Matthew 13), and whether they were planting seeds or watering previously sown seeds, are entirely up to our Heavenly Father and His work of redemption and salvation.

Upon returning home and reflecting on these conversations in early December, the thought of an “anachronistic dilemma,” communicating a return to the mores, precepts, and instructions of the Scriptures, came to mind. Immediately, the thought of encouraging people to walk according to the ancient paths in modern times, became one challenge that Messianic Believers need to address as we move forward toward the consummation of this age. After all, if the restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21), as foretold by the prophets of old, is real and is not a clever muse to reformulate things in your mind or a myth to motivate inane actions—then our efforts to encourage a return to the ancient ways will not be in vain. The arc of history will bend back toward the beginning of time and the Creator will restore order to His creation, albeit with some traumatic episodes preceding the return of the Messiah Yeshua.

With our firm belief that the Lord Almighty is actively conducting the restoration process, and that He is calling forth a generation of souls to prepare the way for His eventual return, is unfailing. With the advent and advancement of modern technology, the exacerbating distractions that tug on hardened hearts, seem to proliferate daily. Knowing this, our ministry has determined that rather than be relegated to the sidelines of societal debate, left in the dustbin of history as the world carries on discussions regarding present circumstances and future challenges, we are going to “enter into the conversation” by using some of the very technologies available to present the message of hope for God’s Kingdom to come.

Of course, engaging in “the conversation” occurs on multiple levels. Naturally, there is a chattering that occurs on any number of subjects that are of interest to a great variety of individuals. We note in the United States, for example, that a media generated drone on politics, business, entertainment, sports, weather, and any number of subjects generates voluminous interest. Just look at the different Internet websites that provide fodder for public consumption, and you can readily discern what the majority of people want to know about in order to be conversant in coffee break discussions, or when engaging someone in a dialogue. Common ground for exchange breaks the ice!

But what about conversations that are beyond this temporal realm? What about eternal and spiritual subjects that have meaning beyond this mortal life? Where do we find those who are willing to venture into these realms, with convictions that delineate solid Biblical research and understanding? Where are those voices who can really contribute to the prophesied restoration of all things, rather than detract from it?

In our ministry experience for over seven years, we have not always appreciated how some voices have defined not only the Messianic movement or lifestyle, but also how it seems that we somehow have to follow their lead and agree with them. This is not too dissimilar from the media reinterpreting conversations or telling stories with their personal biases and presuppositions. Some of the “bigger” Messianic voices out there do not represent us. We represent us, and we prefer to let people know our thoughts and conclusions without any prejudiced filters. This is why both Outreach Israel and TNN Online send out many e-mail teachings every week, and consistent exhortations and Bible studies. In some regards, we are following the example of President Ronald Reagan, who used the television press conference, White House Rose Garden speech, or Oval Office communiqué—to speak directly to the American people—without others repackaging his words for their own purposes.

Our society has become much more technologically savvy with things like Facebook, YouTube, and the evitable MP3 podcast. Our ministry itself has made use of a variety of these tools, and as new venues are made available, we will certainly consider them. This past month I just got a new Apple iPhone, and in learning how to use it, I saw how easy it would be for our MP3 teachings to be made available via iTunes. One of our outreach projects for 2010 will be to make our audio teachings available on iTunes (almost five years worth at present), in an effort to get our point of view out there to the masses!

We can see how the Prophet Daniel actually saw much of this coming, from visions he received while in Babylonian exile. Just read about some of what he witnessed as he had a peek into the future:

“Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt. Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead the many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever. But as for you, Daniel, conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase” (Daniel 12:1-4).

What is exciting to consider when one analyzes Daniel’s vision, is that while he notes a great time of distress and judgment, as well as a future resurrection of people—most important to be considered is how “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever” (NIV). Daniel observed an increase of knowledge, which many conclude is the advent of the Computer and Information Age, involving the ability to transfer and expand knowledge around the globe at ever increasing speed and efficiency. The communication tools available to us today can certainly be employed not just by the enemy to put out deceptive and enticing words—but also by Believers to help them proclaim the good news of salvation in the Messiah Yeshua.

Only God Himself knows the exact time of fulfillment of Daniel’s, and other similar prophecies. Because we do not know the exact time, we have to be busy about the work of His coming Kingdom, of which we are already citizens (Philippians 3:20). How we can do this as Messianic Believers is very important to consider, because according to Revelation 12:17, 14:12, the end-time saints will not only trust in Yeshua’s atoning work for salvation, but they will also be keeping God’s commandments. Having a more comprehensive understanding of what God’s commandments are, and how obeying them pleases Him, is something that today’s Messianic movement has been uniquely positioned to help instruct people with.

For these purposes, as long as the Holy One allows us to continue, our ministry efforts will be devoted to efficiently get the messages of salvation, redemption, and restoration to all who have the ears to hear. It is a joy to know that despite the challenges of bringing His message to a world that is largely lost—it is still and will always remain the Lord’s work to not only soften the hearts—but cause the increase. As one who has always taken great comfort in the sovereignty of God, I am always amazed about what He is able to do!

Finally, looking back on the history of Ancient Israel, we find that our task is not too different from that which figures like the Prophets themselves once had to perform. Consider what a man like Jeremiah had to face, when confronted with how the great majority of the population he appealed to was not very hungry to walk in the ways of the Lord. Despite his many warnings about the judgment to come upon the Southern Kingdom, he appealed to the people to stand by the ways of the Lord and asked them to return to the ancient paths as originally laid out by Moses. These words could very easily apply to our modern society as well, as we must return to a foundational grounding in all the Scriptures:

“‘To whom shall I speak and give warning they may hear? Behold, their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of the Lord has become a reproach to them; they have no delight in it. But I am full of the wrath of the Lord; I am weary with holding it in. Pour it out on the children in the street and on the gathering of young men together; for both husband and wife shall be taken, the aged and the very old. Their houses shall be turned over to others, their fields and their wives together; for I will stretch out My hand against the inhabitants of the land,’ declares the Lord. ‘For from the least of them even to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for gain, and from the prophet even to the priest everyone deals falsely. They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, “Peace, peace,” but there is no peace. Were they ashamed because of the abomination they have done? They were not even ashamed at all; they did not even know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time that I punish them, they shall be cast down,’ says the Lord. Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ And I set watchmen over you, saying, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet!’ But they said, ‘We will not listen.’ Therefore hear, O nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I am bringing disaster on this people, the fruit of their plans, because they have not listened to My words, and as for My law, they have rejected it also” (Jeremiah 6:10-19).

Lamentably, reading through the words of Jeremiah, one must be also reminded of some words given by the author of Hebrews, who states that: “Yeshua the Messiah is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The Lord is faithful to send people like Jeremiah to warn of impending judgment, so that sinners and those in rebellion toward Him will be warned. He also loves so that He will give righteous figures like Daniel visions, which are meant to encourage His people down through the generations so that they might know that not all hope is lost.

Too frequently, though, as Yeshua reminds us, human hearts can sometimes be so hardened to things of God, that not only will they not listen to the Scriptures—but if they could, they would not even listen to people who could come back from the dead (cf. Luke 16:31-32). We are all going to encounter people in life who do not want to listen to the Bible, and they certainly do not want to heed the claims of the Risen Savior who conquered death. At one point or another, we have all met them and have interacted with them. For some reason, no matter what we share or the good works they see in us (cf. Matthew 5:16), some people are just not ready to humble themselves and cry out for mercy—perhaps until it is too late.

We are called to keep on with the work of God’s Kingdom, regardless of how many accept or reject the message. If for us it is to share more about the ancient paths using as many of the modern technologies as possible—then we simply say: Hallelujah! May our efforts bear fruit and may you join us in these endeavors of faith!

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.