Magal

מעגּל is a Hebrew word.  When written in our alphabet, it is magal.  It is often translated as path in scriptures. 

“He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.”

(Psalm 23:3 NASB)

I get pictures in my head as I read.  Don’t you?  Words communicate so much! But sometimes we get a wrong picture, or simply narrow our perception and unintentionally limit what words fully mean.  

Before this morning, for a path, I had a picture of a pretty landscape, with trees, wildflowers, and grass just barely worn down where it had been walked on.  And certainly that is a path. 

But when doing a little word study on the Hebrew word, I discovered more. The Hebrew word also can mean track, or entrenchment. I got new images in my head of a path. 

When David wrote the words we call Psalm 23, he used those words fully understanding the broadness of its possible meaning.  If you know much about the struggles of David’s life, you remember that it wasn’t always a walk in the park.  He fought for his very life! A path to him might have been one of deep ruts…ruts caused from much travel and heavy loads. 

“The way of safety and blessing is a well-traveled way in the deep ruts that have been proved by God’s people for centuries.”  [Warren Wiersbe/On Earth As It Is In Heaven page 125]

When wagons moving west saw a path that looked easier, if they chose what looked to be easier, they might have found out (the hard way) just why everyone had followed the other way, leaving behind such deep ruts.

"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do.

The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention. (Matthew 7:13-14 from The Message)

For me, sometimes the path is smooth and clear, even pleasant.  Other times it’s been rugged and difficult.  I must purpose in my heart and mind, that His path is the safest and happiest of places. 

Jesus Himself said, “The gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life…” (Matthew 7:14 NASB)