A godly life was viewed as a clear, straight, unobstructed path. There are numerous allusions to this imagery in the OT (i.e., Ps. 25:4; 27:11; 86:11; 119:35,105; Isa. 40:14). God’s way is not hidden from His people but is clearly revealed (i.e., Mosaic covenant). Our daily task is to walk in it and bring honor to Him.
“The Way” was the early designation for believers (cf. Acts 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22 and possibly 18:25,26). It has an OT background, speaking of lifestyle faith (cf. Ps. 1:1; 16:11; 119:105; 139:24; Pro. 4:10-19). Jesus uses this concept in Matt. 7:14 and uses the title for Himself in John 14:6. Christianity is a personal encounter followed by a daily relationship (i.e., “walk,” cf. Eph. 4:1,17; 5:2,15).
This term “The Way” (BDB 73) is used several times in Isaiah (cf. Isa. 2:3; 3:12; 26:7,8; 30:11; 33:8; 40:18; 41:3) and prominently in Proverbs (cf. Isa. 1:19; 2:8,13,15,19,20; 3:6; 4:14,18; 5:6; 8:20; 9:15; 10:17; 12:28; 15:10,19,24; 17:23; 22:25). It metaphorically denoted a lifestyle faith that obeyed and walked in (cf. Exod. 16:4; Isa. 30:20; 42:24; Jer. 9:12; 26:4; 32:23; 44:10,23; Zech 7:12) God’s teachings.
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