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- Jun 16, 2009
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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
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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