It has been said many times before that a Christian is much like a pilgrim. The Christian is truly on a journey. He is walking upon the earth seeking a place which he will not find on this land. It is somewhat interesting to think about. The Christian is walking along the face of the earth seeking the Celestial City. But he cannot see the city, nor will he enter its gates while on this earth.
Nevertheless, when the Lord says, “Go,” he goes, and when the Lord says “Stop,” he stops. His travels are much like that of the Israelites in the wilderness as the Shekinah glory guided them along the way. When the cloud was taken up from the tabernacle, the people moved to another location. But if the cloud remained or descended back upon the tabernacle, the people would remain as well.
It was the presence of God that guided them. Moses realized that it was only by God’s presence that he and the people could know that they had found favor with God. He did not even want to take a step without knowing that God’s presence would be with him along the way (Ex. 33:15). So it should be for the Christian today who sets out on his journey.
Since the Christian is on a journey, he must also ask himself some questions concerning his travels. The following questions are essential for every Christian to ponder:
• What is the good path?
• When will I walk the good path?
• What will watch over me along the way?
• Who will not be on the good path?
Proverbs 2:9-15 answers these questions and more.
What is the good path?
Scripture says, “Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path” (Prov. 2:9). The word “then” is used at the beginning of this verse, linking what is said here to what has been previously said. Proverbs 2:1-8 is full of “if…then” statements. These are sometimes referred to as conditional promises. Basically, God is saying, “If you do this, then this will happen,” or, “If you do this, then I will do this.” This also means that man has a responsibility to fulfill his side of the promise. It is important to realize that many of the promises in Scripture are written in this format.
In verse 9, we are not told what the “if” is, only the “then.” Solomon writes, “Then shalt thou…” He leads the reader onward toward what will take place in his life. As he does so, he tells of the “good path.” He says that this path is a path of “righteousness, and judgment, and equity.” All of these words are synonymous. It is as though he is seeking to make a single point about this path in poetic language.
He is telling of a way that is marked by justice. This path will consist of people who are fair, honest, and at peace with one another. Along this path, people will be for one another and not against one another. People will be seeking the good of their neighbor along this way. The command to love thy neighbor will, in essence, find its fulfillment along this way.
But the question still remains, “What is the ‘if’?”, or, as the next point states, “When will I walk the good path?”
When will I walk the good path?
In verse 6, Solomon says this, “For the Lord giveth wisdom…” (Prov. 2:6). It is for this reason that Solomon then says, “Then shalt thou walk…” (2:9). Apart from wisdom, it is impossible for someone to walk the path that God desires for him to walk. Solomon doubles back to this point when he says, “When wisdom entereth into thine heart , and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul” (Prov. 2:10).
Simply put, Solomon says this, “Then thou shalt walk… When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul” (Prov. 2:9-10). It is not before this takes place, but after, that a Christian will walk the good path.
Wisdom will guide him along the way; it will lead him along his journey. How could anyone know where to go apart from wisdom? It would be folly to think such a thing. A time will come when knowledge will be pleasant to the soul. Knowledge will only be pleasant to the soul when it is accompanied by wisdom.
Apart from wisdom, knowledge leads to pride. It leads to bitterness and wars and discouragement. Knowledge can be had apart from God. It is not the man who knows many things that has a thriving relationship with God. The scribes “knew” a lot about the Law and the Old Testament, but their hearts were far from God. Knowledge was not pleasant to their souls; it was an idol of sorts. They were corrupt, and their love for knowledge was eating away at their souls because they did not couple it with wisdom but rather with pride.
What will watch over me along the way?
But for the one who couples knowledge with wisdom, for the one who applies the knowledge that he has, the Scripture says, “Discretion shall preserve… understanding shall keep… to deliver thee…” (Prov. 2:11-12). When you set out along your journey, you will know that you are walking the right way if it is a path of love. Along this way, you will always know that it is not because you are smarter than all the rest that you found this path. Rather, you will know that it is because God has poured His wisdom into your heart. You will also not fear along this way because it will be God, through His divinely-given wisdom, that will preserve, keep, and deliver you.
Yet again, much like before, these three words (preserve, keep, and deliver) are synonymous. It is as though Solomon is once again saying the same thing. To preserve, keep, and deliver all bear the meaning of guarding. It is like Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, watching over His flock like the faithful Shepherd that He is.
Who will not be on the good path?
For there to be a path, this must also mean that there are travelers. Surely there could be no path without there being someone who has walked the path before us. It may not be a well-worn path, but nevertheless, the dirt can be seen amongst the grass. Scripture says, “…narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14).
So who will not be found along this way? Scripture says, “To deliver thee from the way of the evil man… who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness… whose ways are crooked, and they forward in their paths” (Prov. 2:12-15). The wicked will not be found along this path, for they choose paths from which God delivers His people. There’s is a path that is diverted from God’s wisdom. It is also a path that is devoid of a biblical love.
Application
As the Christian walks his path, he will notice that there will be times in which he may get lonely along the way. He may notice that there are times in which it is hard to stay on track, and the path is not clear as the dirt below his feet begins to turn back into grass. It can be hard to find the way when many are not walking it. It is not as well-worn as the broad way.
But it is the narrow way that leads to life. It is a path that is filled with the love of God and filled with a desire to do good to your fellow man. It is by this barometer that you can know if you are walking rightly. But for those who have strayed, what must they do? It is God’s wisdom that will realign this person’s steps. A healthy fear of the Lord is the beginning of the wisdom. Place yourself under God’s authority, revere Him, and yield to His will. Confess your sin as one who has no hope apart from the forgiveness of God and restoration with your Creator. Jesus has made the way; follow in His steps.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to walk this path that You speak of in Your Word. I desire to do Your will, oh God; teach me Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.