Consider the Old Paths

by Denise Shaw

Many years ago, the Lord shared a great illustration about letting go of the past. It had to do with keeping both hands on the plow. In olden days, farmers had horse- (or oxen-, or mule-) drawn plows used to break up fallow ground. It was hard work. The handles on the old-style plows were fairly far apart, forcing the arms of the operator to be stretched wide at all times.  In order to plow straight rows, the farmer was required to keep each hand on each handle. To let loose with one hand meant the resulting furrow would look more like a lazy river or a snake in the grass (curvy, not straight). No, the rows needed to be straight. There was method and reason in the process of preparing the soil for seed.

When the Lord first spoke to my heart about keeping both hands on the plow, it was in the context of not looking back or holding onto things of the past. To try moving forward with one hand behind us, clinging to something that should have been left behind, we are in danger of “plowing in circles” instead of moving forward. No, progress requires purposeful effort to keep both hands on the plow.

Yet, I recently heard a minister encourage a brother in the faith to take a glance back at the past before pressing forward into all the Lord had laid out for him. While it is true, we cannot successfully make progress with a constant longing for days gone by, there is some value to understanding from whence we came. How was the field plowed before? What did the farmer do in previous years when he came to a waterway? Did he plow through it or did he pick up the plow so the sod could remain in place for the water to flow over? There is a little more to plowing a field than keeping both hands on the plow. We must also consider the old, well-established paths and methods.

Jeremiah 6:16 [ESV] – Thus says the LORD: "Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls… The New English Translation says, “…consider your path. Ask where the old, reliable paths are. Ask where the path is that leads to blessing and follow it…"

The cross-references on this above verse will take us to a variety of passages. Most notable of which is Hebrews chapter 11. Many theologians refer this chapter as “the Hall of Faith.” Any success story from the Old Testament can be found firmly planted with its roots in faith. Time and space do not permit us to quote the entire passage in this blog, yet it is to be noted and studied. We are going to need faith now, more than ever, if we’re going to fulfill what God is asking us to do in these days directly ahead of us.

Hebrews 12:1 brings us full circle back to the “both hands on the plow” illustration from above. We must lay aside everything from our past that would hinder and firmly plant our feet upon the way of those who have gone before, on the path of faith and victory.

Hebrews 12:1 [NKJV] – Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…

Right along with these admonitions, in times like this, we must also consider that we “…have not been this way before” (Joshua 3:4). When Joshua was tasked with leading the children of Israel into the promised land, they had not been that way before. No one had ever done such a thing. There was no old path. Only the methods laid out for him to follow by his mentor, Moses.

As I carefully considered the above scripture, my studies carried me to the book of Isaiah chapter 30. In it there are even more valuable truths to be gleaned for such a time as this:

Isaiah 30:33 [NKJV] – For Tophet was established of old, yes, for the king it is prepared. He has made it deep and large; Its pyre is fire with much wood; The breath of the LORD, like a stream of brimstone, kindles it.

The word Tophet means a place of fire. It was a real place in Isaiah’s day. It was a place of cremation, a place of burning and judgment, specifically against Assyria.  The King James Version of the verse emphasizes, “…ordained of old…”. The word translated as ordained means to lay in order and points toward experts in war and setting things in order. Of old points toward yesterday while at the same time referring to these days and of late. It means yesterday and today all that the same time. The breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone indicates He is an all-consuming fire. For the believer He consumes with everything good while at the same time breathing judgment to those whom He chooses to judge. A river of fire is a good thing for the church, but not such a good word for those outside of His covenants.

For a moment, let us take a glance at Jeremiah 10:13 [NKJV]: When He utters His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens: "And He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, He brings the wind out of His treasuries." This is a powerful passage that points us to some very important truths relevant for these times, the end of days.

It all started when asking the Lord, “Where do dreams come from?” His quick reply led me down a path of discovery, “From My treasuries.” Jeremiah said, “…He brings the wind out of His treasuries” (Jeremiah 10:13). In Hebrew, the wind is ruwach which means prophetic spirit, imparting warlike energy, endowing men with various gifts as manifest in the Shekinah glory. The word translated as treasuries means storehouse or magazine of weapons. 

I am hearing the Lord say that in the days directly ahead of us, we are going to see the wind of God breathe life into His people while at the same time the breath of God will ignite a fire of judgment in the earth.

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I actually wrote this blog on 19 October 2021, but just now (22 February 2025) the Lord is releasing me to finally share it!

What was the trigger? A post from a dear friend, Gina Gholston. Gina is an author, preacher and prophetic dreamer, and mark my word, her dreams proceed from the very treasuries of God. Here's what she had to say this morning:

Recently, I have been hearing this phrase over and over in my spirit: "As at the first." I haven't yet fully understood what all this entails, but this morning, as I was praying about it, the Lord reminded me of a word He spoke to me some time ago. This went deep into my spirit, and I felt to share it with you. There are some things that the Lord is going to remind us of in this season. Necessary things. Not a recreation of what was, but a continuation of what never got finished. It's time.

He said:
"If you will allow Me to do it and if you will receive it, I will remove all doubts and fears concerning the vision that I gave to you. I AM reaffirming and strongly reasserting My Word to you so as to re-secure Its root lest you forget, grow weary, and fail to move with Me in this season!

"I will awaken you in the night seasons with dreams and visions, and you will remember My Word, My Vision—even things I have spoken to you that you have forgotten. I AM jolting your memory, and as you remember, joy, excitement, and expectation will be restored as it was when I very first spoke to you concerning these things . . . because now is the time!

"I have not forgotten! I AM remembering even now the path that I set you on, even in your youth! I AM restoring to you the remembrance of that old path, and I AM reigniting the joy and fervency of your pursuit of Me! It is time, and I AM culminating the years, the events, the words, the visions, the dreams, the obedience, and the steps you have taken. I AM pulling it all together, and soon you will see My purpose in it all!

"Do not lose heart and do not grow weary, not now! Not ever! Stay focused on Me so I can show you how it all shall unfold and so I can launch you forward—focused, prepared, and free from confining limitations! Hoist your sails. My Wind is beginning to blow!”