The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way
So how “GOOD” do you have to be, before the Lord orders your steps? Before we answer that the bible says, “rightly dividing the word of truth”… 2 Timothy 2:15
Far too many times verses like this one lead us down into error in understanding. Let us first look at the word “good.” Immediately we interpret it as a goal or condition to be met. Your “goodness” becomes a conditional to leverage the rest of the verse.
If you interpret “good” as the conditional, “goodness” becomes the measure for you to earn the promise. With that mind set, the second half of the verse seems to hold more despair. The word “and” tells us there are two related thoughts active here.
“He” meaning God delights in “his” meaning your way. So you rephrase the verse to say… “If you are good, the Lord orders your steps AND the Lord is only delighted if you walk that way. “
Are you feeling that you can not measure up yet?
Relax, let’s rightly divide the verse.
When we look how the scripture was translated, the word “good” was not in the original source. Of course, you ask then why is it there. The common thought among theologians is that the second half of the verse was a logical reason to add the word “good.” So, if God is delighted in the ways of a man, then the ways must be good, therefore that makes the man “good.” Another broad assumption based in favor of translator.
With the word “good” removed...
The steps of a man are ordered by the LORD: and he delights in his way
With the word “good” removed, it is much easier to see a different meaning emerging. Consider the whole of the verse considering nature of God. God’s delight comes from the choices a man makes when those choices glorify God. When these “good” choices are made and then acted upon by walking them out in real life, you see God pleasing faith.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God,…” Hebrews 11:6
Now we see the Lord’s hand upon the man that is choosing and walking out the will of God. This man is seeking the Lord and finds that the Lord will “order” the steps. When the Lord “orders” your steps, be quick to follow His direction. Only God is “good” and ready to share that goodness with you.
“So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.” Luke 18:19
October 18, 2019
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