Press the NAV Button
Your ways, O LORD, inform me, your paths, instruct me. Psalm 25:4 Robert Alter translation
Ways/paths – GPS is such a blessing. Just put in the address, press the NAV button, and both map and voice direct me to my destination. Now I only get lost when the guidance map is out of date. Amazingly, it seems that most of us think God’s maps are out of date because we simply don’t follow His directions. Maybe we think that instructions about the design of the universe given by the guy who made it are no longer valid because He provided the guidance system 3500 years ago. Maybe we think that the basic principles of righteousness have somehow changed. It’s the equivalent of believing that the continents have a new shape since Yeshua died. We believe that God re-booted the universe and all that “old” stuff doesn’t get us where we want to go anymore. Maybe, just maybe, we aren’t actually following His ways and paths because we aren’t going to the same destination these days. Maybe we’ve set our GPS to take us out of the world rather than finding the place God is working in the world.
At any rate, David seems to have a very different view of God’s derek (way) and ‘orah (path). For David, there is only one road worth traveling and that is the road on God’s map. Derek is primarily about setting foot on something, usually treading along the way. However, the word is also associated with bending. Derek connects walking in the way with submitting to the guide. Derek describes bending the bow or bending a people in order to subdue them. The same imagery is found in the idea of “treading” grapes, a metaphor for executing judgment on sinful people. The righteous find derek a way of straight streets and trusted trails, but the wicked find that the same word is their undoing.
‘Orah is usually a figurative description of the way of life or death. It is a word of dramatic contrast. One way leads to blessing and goodness. The other way leads to ruin and death. Choose! But that’s the point, isn’t it? You choose! No one else can decide which road you will take and only you are responsible for the consequences.
“The way which one chooses determines one’s destiny. There is such a thing as the ‘road’ of no return (Job 16:22). Bildad speaks of the ‘fate/ path’ of all that forget God (Job 8:13). Interestingly, the LXX translates ʾōraḥ here as ta esʿhata ‘the end.’ Proverbs 1:19 indicates, ‘Such is the “way/end” for those who are after dishonest gain,’ that consequences of evil behavior are intrinsic to that action and are not superimposed as a penalty. Thus the Bible can say that the way (derek) of the transgressor is hard.”[1]
If your destination is “heaven,” don’t be too surprised if the biblical GPS doesn’t take you there. But if your destination is “righteousness,” then the GPS is all set. Just push the button and follow the instructions.
Topical Index: way, derek, path, ‘orah, direction, righteousness, Psalm 25:4
[1] Hamilton, V. P. (1999). 161 אָרַח. In R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer, Jr. & B. K. Waltke, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (71). Chicago: Moody Press.
Which way to OZ?
The Yellow Brick Road doesn’t even come close
to the kingdom.
“The kingdom of God does not come with observation;
nor will they say ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed,
the kingdom of God is within you.” Luke 17:20-21
God’s GPS points inward. Always has. Always will.
His kingdom exists anywhere in this world where a true
believer stands.
The irony is people search the world for getting what
they want. Yet the GPS Master said: “But seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these
things shall be added to you.” Mat 6:33
Which way to God?
Go in, young man! Go in!
We get lost and off path because we choose our own way, and think we know better. We ignore the instructions to ” make a u-turn”. GOD’S gps is good, he is the same always, never out of date. GOD will “re-route” us after we have been bounced around the wrong road.
I look forward to “you have arrived” (good and faithful servant)
The importance of actually following seems to be hammering me in face lately.
God delivered the people from Egypt,…. BEFORE he taught them many of His ways. However, I seem to go opposite – I want to teach/preach some Hebrew insight to someone – and then hope that it makes a difference enough in their life to deliver them from some of their ‘problems’.
It seems that there is ample biblical precedent for acting on someone’s behalf FIRST,… and THEN introducing them to God’s pathway.
Unless of course, you are simply reaping the harvest as Phillip was with the Ethiopian.
God’s GPS
~Now the angel (malach/messenger) of the LORD found her by a spring of water in the wilderness, by the spring on the way to Shur. And He said,
“Hagar, slave of Sarai, – where have you come from, and where are you going?”
And she said, “I am fleeing from the presence of my mistress Sarai.” Then the angel of the LORD said to her, “Return to your mistress, and submit yourself to her authority.”… (Genesis 16.7-9)~ Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your Presence? ~ (Psalm 139.7)The answer? Nowhere, -not even under a rock! There is nowhere to run to- and nowhere to hide! There is, however, (and praise God!) one and only one “hiding place!”
Hagar had had it. She had enough of Sarai’s abuse and she made the decision to “get away.” No particular place, but she wanted to get “there” (gotta wonder where “there” was!), – as quickly as possible. Fight or flight? Hagar said, “I’m outta here!” I have endured quite “enough” from Sarai (wife of Abraham). The angel’s (angelic?) advise? The message of God’s messenger? Hagar, “go home.” (Repent) Remember and return from whence you came. Go back Hagar, but this time carry this with you- the name (you yourself) gave to God! ~ She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” ~
Hagar, Sarai’s handmaiden, gave this name to God: “El Roi.” El – strength, might and power and Roi – the God who sees (me!). The strong One, the mighty One and the One from whom all authority flows is the Compassionate One who saw the affliction of Hagar, and yes, (up close and personal), not only called her by her name, but also was very “aware” of her lowly position- as handmaiden (read slave or “property”) to Sarai, Whoever this is now speaking to me, he (somehow) knows, all about me! Isn’t this a wonderful reminder to us? – The God of the stars is also the God of the sparrows! His words to us? “Fear not, therefore; you __(Hagar)_____ are of more value than many sparrows.”
Did this messenger of The Messiah somehow place within the heart of Hagar, -this song?
Be not dismayed whate’er betide,God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,God will take care of you.
God will take care of you,Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail,God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,God will take care of you.
God will take care of you,Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide,God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied,God will take care of you.
God will take care of you,Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,God will take care of you.
No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast,
God will take care of you.
God will take care of you,Through every day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,God will take care of you.
We have today, so much more, than what Hagar did. We have this further “blessed assurance,” this “more sure word of prophecy..” ~ But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus ~ (Philippians 4.19)
Yes, Hagar, I agree, for I too have seen this. tHis Name, “the God who sees,” is wonderful! ~ Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a Shepherd ~ (Matthew 9.36)
Personally, – because ~ the LORD is my Shepherd; – I have all that I need ~
Again, thank you for singing to me, Carl.
“Elroy”. A name popular in yesteryears up in the hills where I came from. Someone back in there had to have been reading his Hebrew! Love it!
Skip,
love, love, love this piece!!! Love your ease with which I can follow….. I do have a question: if the GPS is set heaven bound, it won’t take me there because???? Just curious!
Much appreciation…
Kim (Evinda) Lepins
(P.S. The one who you spoke with on the phone about shame!)
IT won’t take you to heaven because the job is here on earth. There is no exit until the Garden is restored.