"Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established"
watch
This is the Hebrew word palas which means to weigh, to make level, to ponder, watch. The idea is that you are really thinking about where you are going to be. Start contemplating where you are going to be, not just whether you want to do some part of it.
There is an amazing number of teens who want to be with their friends at a party but do not contemplate the fact that class bullies will be there or drugs will be there or alcohol will be there or people that hate them will be there. If you only follow your desires without thinking through the whole situation, you will surely get caught in a trap that could change or end your life.
path
This is the Hebrew word magal or magalah which means the circle of the camp, the course, the path. This is not just a place that you move through; but it is the place that you pitch your tent, a place that you frequent or reside at. The environment does affect you. If it is a bad, evil, immoral environment, then you must break away or you will begin to assimilate that environment.
feet
This is the Hebrew word regel which means foot or feet or footsteps. The idea is if you watch where your body is, then you will be in good shape with your life. The point is that you are encased in a physical body in which your feet are the usual contact point with the planet, the circumstance, the situation, etc. If your actual individual feet are not in bad places, then neither will you be.
I am amazed at how many people want to believe that they can be in a bad place and not have it affect the real them. This is nonsense.
ways
This is the Hebrew word derek which means way, road, journey. This is the word that was expected previously for path. It means the journey you are on. It is literally the path through life. You and I have a choice which path we take. If we choose to avoid pitching our tent in immoral, evil, or compromising situations, then our journey through life will be much different than if we make the mistake of believing that we are not affected by our immediate environment.
established
This is the Hebrew word kun which means to be firm. Some have come to see this as a word which carries the idea of provision. God will provide for those who make sure that they do not pitch their tent with those who are evil. He will make sure that your journey is fully supplied.
Hebrews 12:1-3 talks about running the race that is set before us. God has a prescribed path through life that we are to run. It is a race. It is particular to us. It has difficulties and obstacles. It has opportunities for impact and significance. It is God who decides how much fame, wealth, and distance is involved in our race.
This proverb tells us not to deviate from the race that God has for us. Do not set up camp with those who are evil.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz