How can Job 22:15 inspire us to seek wisdom in our daily lives? Setting the Scene Job 22:15 records Eliphaz challenging Job: “Will you keep to the old path that wicked men have walked?”. Eliphaz warns against defaulting to the well-worn ways of godlessness. Even though Eliphaz misreads Job’s situation, the verse still shines a timeless light on our daily pursuit of wisdom. The Verse at a Glance • “Will you keep to the old path” – our lives are a series of paths chosen day by day. • “that wicked men have walked” – some paths are popular precisely because they cater to sin and self. • The implied alternative – choose God’s way, not the well-traveled road of rebellion. Why This Question Sparks a Quest for Wisdom • It makes us pause. Wisdom begins when we slow down long enough to weigh our direction (Psalm 119:59). • It exposes the danger of cultural momentum: if everyone’s doing it, that should raise—not lower—our guard (Exodus 23:2). • It reminds us that history is littered with examples of people who ignored God and reaped ruin (1 Corinthians 10:6). • It urges personal responsibility: you may inherit many paths, but you decide which one to walk (Joshua 24:15). Daily Practices Drawn from Job 22:15 1. Examine the path • Start mornings by asking, “Whose footsteps am I following today?” (Proverbs 4:26). • Write down decisions that feel routine—friends, entertainment, spending—and compare them to Scripture. 2. Reject the crowd mentality • When a choice is described as “just how things are done,” test it against God’s Word (Romans 12:2). • Remember that popularity never made any path right (Proverbs 1:10–15). 3. Seek the alternative ancient path—the godly one • Jeremiah 6:16 balances Job 22:15 by pointing to “the ancient paths where the good way is.” • Ask, “Is there a time-proven, Scripture-anchored approach instead of the trendy shortcut?” 4. Feed on Scripture for directional clarity • “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). • Schedule non-negotiable daily reading—wisdom grows as God’s Word renews the mind (2 Timothy 3:16–17). 5. Pray for the wisdom you lack • “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God” (James 1:5). • Pray before decisions rather than after consequences; wisdom up front averts regret later. 6. Walk with the wise • “He who walks with the wise will become wise” (Proverbs 13:20). • Cultivate relationships with believers who consistently choose God’s path, and observe how they decide matters of work, family, and stewardship. Encouraging Outcome Choosing against the “old path that wicked men have walked” positions us to experience God’s protection, peace, and purpose. Every wise decision, rooted in Scripture and reinforced by godly counsel, forms stepping-stones toward a life that honors the Lord and blesses those around us. |
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