Old Testament Guidance

 

In the Old Testament of the Bible, in the books of Proverbs, Jeremiah, and Micah, you will find a trustworthy guide through scripture, religion, and life. The book of Proverbs teaches us not to believe everything! Instead, we are told to seek the wise to learn from. The book of Jeremiah is a book of prophecy, but it does ring out a warning to all who carefully read it that God will lay stumbling blocks and snares. In Micah, we find the best guide for our relationship with God. What does he want from us but mercy, justice, and humility.

Proverbs repeatedly teach differences between fools and the wise. It is worth reading just for these quotes alone. It also is a milestone of faith that teaches us not to believe everything! We are to think and judge what is true and find our guide for belief therein. If you believe everything you are taught, you have not read Proverbs. 

Amid Jeremiah's prophecies, there is one that stands out as a milestone of faith. A warning from God. I will lay stumbling blocks and snares so father and son, friend and neighbor shall perish, the prophet reports. With this warning and Proverbs saying not to believe everything you know I will not just follow the leader but will seek to see and know and hear and know what I experience. I will try to understand the Bible and traditions and dogma but I will not blindly follow or have blind belief. I will know what I can and pray about the rest.

In Micah, another Old Testament book of prophecy, it is asked what does God want from us? Then, the question is answered all too easily to believe that God wants us to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with him in our lives. Of course, pray about it. Do not blindly believe it just because it is in the Bible. God is a living being and can make clear what he wants from us if we are willing to seek him. Do not give up! It may be a trial of faith to continue in prayer when all you get is silence for a reply, but remember Job went through for worse for his faith. 

So Proverbs, Jeremiah, and Micah are all milestones of faith containing books of the Old Testament in my eyes. I hope I have made clear to you why in this composition. Yet do not take my word about it, pray. I worship a living, invisible, infinite God that can do wonders when he is moved. Pray and do not cease praying. Martyrs have kept their faith even to the trial of death for it.