The path less travelled

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Hello there,

I hope the content of the OP will not be a disappointment to those who were intrigued by the subject heading, for though I feel there is much of interest in the course of study that my sister and I embarked upon today, it is only the beginning. Yet already we have been blessed with the knowledge that there is more than one word translated 'paths': and within the context of those references that we were able to consider in our very short time together, we found that the context showed them to be the path that was well worn, broad enough to hold many people, but I have the feeling that we will also come across the path least travelled, which is narrow and found by few (hence the subject heading).

My sister asked if we could look up references to the word, 'paths,' for reasons of her own: and we began by looking at the Strong's concordance, noting down just twelve, with their Strong's reference numbers, so that we could see the definition given, and any other translations coming from the Hebrew or Greek words they derived from. Yet, though writing down twelve references only in consideration of the time we had available to us, we were only able to cover three in the time. They were all in the book of Job, and required that we not only look at what was said, but who said it, to whom, and why, and also take into consideration the first few chapters of Job, in order to truly appreciate Job's situation, remembering also His end and also the verdict of God regarding the words of his three friends.

This we did, and found that those three references were all the translation of H734 (a well trodden road literally or figuratively: also a caravan which is a company of people, translated also:- manner, path, race, rank, traveller, troop, [by-, high-] way. ):- . * Job 6:18, Job 8:13 and Job 13:27.

'To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend;
but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook,
and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
Which are blackish by reason of the ice,
and wherein the snow is hid:
What time they wax warm, they vanish:
when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
The paths of their way are turned aside;
they go to nothing, and perish.'
(Job 6:14-18)

* I discovered from the notes in my Bible that three friends show the impotence of human experience: human experience being the viewpoint of Eliphaz; Bildad the perspective of human tradition; and Zophar of human merit. Whereas Elihu points to God as the giver of a Divine righteousness for helpless guilty sinners.

* The words of Job 6 (above) were spoken by Job following his friend Eliphaz' first address to him. Poor Job, only four of his friends turned up to mourn with him, but each had their own agenda, and judged Job according to outward appearance and human evaluation: for only God can know man's heart, and only He can judge justly. A reading of Eliphaz' address to Job reveals the injustice of their assessment, in the light of what God had said concerning Job in the opening chapter, that he was perfect, and righteous. Job's words in verse 18 (above) concerning his 'friends', tells us that the paths of such are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish'.

* Job had and was suffering almost beyond human endurance anyway, but the words of his friends added insult to injury, and caused him even more pain and discomfort, not physically but psychologically and spiritually. Oh how we should learn to let our words be few and tread softly where God is working.

* I have to go now, and will have to return to consider the other two references: [Job 8:13 being spoken by Bildad to Job; and Job 13:27 being the words of Job spoken to God Himself, following the words of Zophar] The reading of the context of all three has much to reveal concerning the mindset of each one.

* The goal of God being to show the impotence of human reasoning in the attainment of righteousness, and thankfully bring Job to cast himself on Divine omnipotence for salvation.

Hoping to return (God willing)
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

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Hello again,

In the wee small hours of the night I lay awake, my mind going over the study of the previous day, considering the way that Job's friends had reasoned from the assumption that Job had to be guilty of some sin for calamity to have fallen upon him to this degree: bringing grief and pain and humiliation. Yet we know that he had done nothing wrong, but that the controversy which led to his demise was not with him, but between God and Satan, and that Job was being tried (Job 1:6-12 & Job 2:1-6). . Which reminds me of that glorious verse in 1 Peter:- ' ... the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth ... '. (1::7).

'In all this Job sinned not,
nor charged God foolishly.'
(Job 1:22)

My thoughts also went to the coming of the Lord Jesus, that He did not come to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. For His death upon the cross would take the sinner's place and die in his stead, thereby paying the penalty for sin, and making it possible for the sinner to be now be reconciled to God, and be declared, 'not guilty'. Simply by believing what God said concerning His Son, and trusting Him for complete salvation rich and free: yet bought at such cost to God Himself and to His only begotten Son.(Hebrews 5:9)

Job had come to God on the basis of the shedding of blood, without which there could be no forgiveness of sins, and had done so on behalf of his children too (Job 1:5), so that they died with hearts that were right with God, all sins forgiven them, with the hope of resurrection before them .

* How wonderful it is that the believer has a hope that transcends this present life, having received the promise of the gift of life in Christ Jesus their Lord. This alone enables him to endure under trial, and stand fast because of the hope laid before him, like his Lord before him (Hebrews 12:2).

It is God's desire that we should know Him: and in our study yesterday, my sister and I felt that we were receiving the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, for which we pray, How much God delights to give this knowledge, how happy it makes Him when we draw near. How much we deprive ourselves of in failing to do so. For in His presence is fulness of Joy and pleasures for evermore (Psalm 16:11). Praise God! For the Spirit of Sonship with which we, by His grace, in Christ Jesus our risen Lord, we have been endowed.

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris