While studying some of the Kings of Judah, I came across a recurring expression which made me think of such a beaten path.
'(Asa) commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers and to observe the law and the commandment. ' 2 Chronicles 14:4
'(Jehoshaphat) sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. ' 2 Chronicles 17:4
It is the word "seek/sought" which caught my attention. Strongs dictionary gives a definition of the original Hebrew word as a "primitive root; properly to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication to seek or ask; specifically to worship."
The Hebrew word could literally be translated "to trample under foot".
Asa commanded his people to follow the Lord by learning and obeying His law and commandment (14:4). Jehoshaphat did this himself (17:4), as did Josiah (34:3), and by so doing created a beaten path; a familiar and easy route to follow. In times of peace and war it was this path that brought them to the Lord and his blessing.
It is the same today. We beat a path to the Lord through learning and obeying his Word. How wellworn is that path? Do I need a machete to cut my way through the overgrown vegetation? What if someone followed the beaten paths of my thought life, habits and desires today - where would that lead them? Would I be ashamed of anyone walking those paths?
