Rocky Road
Teach me Your way, O YHWH, and lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies. Psalm 27:11
Smooth Path – The idea of a smooth path doesn’t seem to present any problems, does it? We know what smooth paths ought to be. Even if I translate the Hebrew beorach mishor as “straight path” or “even way,” I’m pretty sure we are all thinking about an easy road. That’s what we want, isn’t it? A nice, comfortable, straight highway so we can avoid all the bumps, pot holes and detours in life. But something interesting happens when we look a little deeper. Maybe the “smooth path” isn’t quite so gentle after all.
The Hebrew word mishor has the basic meaning of evenness. It’s associated with straight, righteous, plain and safe. It comes from the verbal root yashar which means “to be right, to be level, to be upright.” Clearly, this root is connected to the idea of a life pleasing to God. The consonants are Yod-Shin-Resh. The pictograph combines two Hebrew images, Yod meaning “hand” or “deed” and Shin-Resh, the picture of a prince. So, this verb displays “the hand of the prince”, i.e. righteous deeds done properly and in order. To be straight is to always act correctly. Here, of course, the imagery is about moral order, not about correct facts or calculations.
Now let’s reconsider the imagery. Do morally correct decisions make life easier? Probably not. There’s a reason we have the aphorism, “Do the right thing and get punished.” The path of delighting in God might be smooth from God’s point of view, but it is quite often a pretty rocky road from the human point of view. We admire Sha’ul’s willingness to embrace the call of God on his life, but we would hardly consider the result a “smooth path.” We will need a complete shift in perspective if we are going to understand the biblical imagery of “smooth path.” A lot of the normal expectations about life here and now will have to be put aside if we are going to define beorach mishor in the same way the Bible does.
For example, we might have to let go of the persistent pursuit of personal comfort. We might have to really embrace the needs of others ahead of our own needs. We might have to re-evaluate luxury and see it for what it really is – an enormous temptation to have it our way.
We might have to shelve some of those dreams we have been nourishing for years. You know; the ones about protected living, ample finances and personal independence. Where do those images come from? From the biblical account of God’s redemptive work or the insurance and consumption advertisers? If relationships are the heart and soul of Scripture, do our lives reflect a passion for people or an avid desire for things?
There are other questions, of course, but the final filter might be simply this: Rocky Road may need to become your favorite flavor of ice cream.
Topical Index: yashar, beorach mishor, smooth path, prince, hand, righteous, Psalm 27:11
Well said brother. That short teaching alone will cause a few potholes in the road of popular American church.
Amen. I find that following Emmanuel is more difficult (and more fun). We are told, to whom much is given, much is expected. The more Yeshua gives us of Himself, the more is required of us and the more our life conforms to the pattern of His sufferings and joy. Indeed His ways our not our ways, His thinking is higher than our thinking and His beorach mishor is the only path to glory, for the power and the glory is His.
Well.. I’ll go ahead and “jump in”.. Proverbs 3.5,6 states- “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. This is no primrose pathway.. (I guarantee it..) You know the drill.. you know where I’m going with this. You can almost hear His holy spirit state: “fasten your seat belt, it’s going to be a bumpy ride”.. I thot of a title for my autobiography (yet to be written..)- “Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride”. lol!!- Walking by faith (our ‘right’ response to what G-d says) is anything but boring,- that’s fer sure. But I’ll also need to add to this; our cooperation (as in obedience) to the leading of our LORD, will result in blessing.. it’s promised by G-d Himself in His book. We need to receive the mindset: short term pain equals long term gain. G-d is not out to “punish” us (the Son took the full force and fury of the wrath of G-d), but He will chastise us and that for the purpose of our training. We respond (just as the donkey do) to the carrot and the stick, for the purpose of becoming conformed (as by heat and circumstantial pressures) to the image of the Son. “Whom the LORD loves, He chastens!” (-ouch!!!..)
“Rocky Road may need to become your favorite flavor of ice cream.”
Chocolate ice cream is my favorite food. And I don’t mind it with nuts. Guess I’ll have to get used to the marshmallows.