Solomon, the wisest man in the Bible, gives vital instruction to his own throughout the book of Proverbs. But, when the word ‘path’ is studied it becomes clear that he wanted to emphasize the fact that God has a path for each and every believer and it continues to become clearer as the days roll on. “The path of the just is as a shining light that shines more and more unto the perfect day.” (Proverb 4:18)
This is not the first time Solomon uses the words path, paths and pathway for they appear nineteen times in the book. The second Proverb has the most occurrences with seven. This Proverb is one of the most important as it gives the source of wisdom and the sure results and application of the wisdom of God.
Although the second Proverb is powerful in that it gives the underlying principles for a successful walk with the Lord the most intimate path-centered Proverb gives Solomon’s brief but insightful testimony concerning his father David’s instruction to him: “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, ‘Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get understanding; forget it not, neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honor, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head and ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee’.” (Proverb 4:1-9)
Notice that Solomon is giving his personal testimony as to the core teaching he received from David who was no longer alive but lived in the minds and hearts of his son Solomon and his grandchildren as the ‘man of war’, the ‘man after God’s own heart’ and the man who wrote the book of Psalms which they now sang during temple worship.
Solomon’s appeal is very strong and purposely intimate as his focus was upon his own children and especially his son for the remaining verses of the fourth Proverb focus upon two very personal appeals to his own son. The first of these personal appeal is found in verses 10-19: “Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths…Enter not into the path of the wicked…But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shines more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble” (Proverb 4:10-19)
This section contains numerous commands from Solomon to his son, but he focus is upon the path that God has for his children and is summarized in (v.18, 19) where the two paths are compared. The ‘shining light’ focuses upon ‘the Light of the world’ Who is the Lord Jesus Christ. As we keep our eyes upon Him there will be no darkness as we walk in His paths: “I am the Light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)
The second appeal also begins with direct commands as Solomon uses very forceful words to his son: “My son, attend to my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart form thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thy heart. For they are life to them that find them, and health to all their flesh. Keep thy heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life... Ponder the path of thy feet and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil.” (Proverb 4:20-27)
Notice, in closing, Solomon deals with specific heart issues here in this section as (v.24) concerns the believers speech, (v.25) focuses upon what the believer looks upon, and (v.26, 27) center upon the believer’s direction where the word ‘path’ is used to emphasize the overall path of life.