The document contrasts the path of unrighteousness versus the path of righteousness. The path of unrighteousness involves idolatry, folly, and being deceived, as discussed in Isaiah 44 and Jeremiah 2. It leads to shame, emptiness, and inability to be saved. The path of righteousness involves glorifying God, as discussed in Exodus 19 and II Samuel 7. It means allowing God to guide one's path for his name's sake, as discussed in Psalm 23. Walking this path leads to restoration, comfort, goodness, and dwelling with God forever.

1.
The Path of Unrighteousness
The Path of Righteousness
What is the chief end of man?
To Glorify God and Enjoy Him
FOREVER!
Satisfaction /
Happiness / Peace

2. The Path of Unrighteousness
Tools and Idols – Isaiah 44
Isaiah 44:1‐8 The blessings of Israel for those who worship the One True God
Isaiah 44:9‐20 – The folly of idolatry
Vs. 9 futile and of no profit, put to shame
Vs. 12 fashions a tool; the tool fashioner is fallible
Vs. 13 shapes the wood into an idol
Vs. 15, 16 uses the other half of the wood to bake his bread
Vs. 20 their hearts are totally deceived
Jeremiah 2 – Broken Cisterns
Vs 3 Israel used to be holy to the Lord
Vs 4 They went far from me and followed after emptiness and became empty
Vs 6‐11 forgot what God did for them
Vs 11 people have changed their glory for that which does not profit
Vs 13 people have forsaken God, the fountain of living waters, and made for
themselves cisterns that do not hold water
Vs 19 it is evil and bitter to forsake your God; and the fear of the Lord is not in them
Vs 20 God set the captives free and they’ve re‐enslaved and prostituted themselves
to other false gods;
Vs 22 cannot get the stain off yourselves
Vs 25 hopeless
Vs 26 shame
Vs 28 Your gods will never be able to save you
The Path of Righteousness
Exodus 19:3‐8 God invites the Israelites to be His own possessions and to represent
him to the watching world (Gen 1:26‐28)
II Sam 7:23 – God redeemed a nation for himself and uses them to bring glory to
himself
Exodus 13:21 – Cloud by day; pillar of fire by night; God wanted the Israelites to
walk blindfolded learning to enjoy God on their journey and to trust him for
protection
I Peter 2:9, 12 – God wants us to represent him in a way that glorifies him
Psalm 23 –esp vs 3 he restores my soul; he guides me in the paths of righteousness
for His name’s sake esp vs 4 “walk through the valley of the shadow of death” and
“thy rod and staff they comfort me”; vs 6 goodness and lovingkindness will follow
me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Deut 8:2,3 – the wilderness is worth it; hard is GOOD for me!
Eph 1:22,23 and Col 1:15 and 2:9‐11 – Supremacy of Christ, the perfect image
bearer
Rom 8:28,29 and Gal 5:22,23 – growing in the image of Christ is good
Two important resources – Hinds Feet on High Places and A Shepherd Looks at
Psalm 23
Confession – to say the same thing God says
God calls the Path of unrighteousness death
God calls the Path of righteousness life
Repentance – turning and walking the opposite direction
I don’t turn to idols anymore to serve me
I serve God
Brokenness – giving up the fight; not trying to win anymore; submission; humility