Making The Crooked Path Straight
In Proverbs 4:14, scripture advises us to not enter the path of the wicked. In the Hebrew translation, the word path is orach (Strong’s 734). It means “well-trodden road” or “caravan”, a group of people traveling together on a long journey. Similarly, all of humankind is also on a path.
Matthew 7:13-14 Amplified Bible
The Narrow and Wide Gates
13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.
In scripture, the acts of those who are transgressors are described as crooked (Proverbs 11:3). The term crooked in scripture also means perverse (Strong’s 558). When something is perverse, it is turned away from what is right or good (Miriam-Webster, 2025). Proverbs 11:3 tells us that this perverseness will be what brings transgressors to their own destruction. This is because they have rejected wisdom and ultimately lack understanding.
Proverbs 10:21 Amplified Bible
21 The lips of the righteous feed and guide many,
But fools [who reject God and His wisdom] die for lack of understanding.
Proverbs 9:14-18 illustrates how folly (foolishness) calls out to us, waiting for us to become distracted by it and hoping that we will be led off the straight course as a result of our lack of understanding. Consequently, those who find themselves held in bondage by foolishness, only find spiritual death.
Proverbs 9:14-17 Amplified Bible
14 She sits at the doorway of her house,
On a seat by the high and conspicuous places of the city,
15 Calling to those who pass by,
Who are making their paths straight:
16 “Whoever is naive or inexperienced, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks understanding (common sense), she says,
17 “Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden];
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the spirits of the dead are there,
And that her guests are [already] in the depths of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead).
For this reason, the Word advises us that wisdom is the principal thing. Therefore, we must get wisdom and in all of our getting, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7 Amplified Bible
7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]!
And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation].
Obtaining Godly wisdom and acquiring the understanding of that wisdom is the key to the crooked places being made straight before us and to remaining on the straight path.
Proverbs 15:21 Amplified Bible
21 Foolishness is joy to him who is without heart and lacks [intelligent, common] sense,
But a man of understanding walks uprightly [making his course straight].
The Lord IS wisdom and the source of our understanding. It is He that leads to life. We cannot rely on our own worldly wisdom and understanding (Proverbs 14:12, Proverbs 16:25). When we place our faith in Him, becoming well acquainted with Him in all the areas of our life, seeking His wisdom first about all matters, and recognizing Him as God, it is then that our path is made straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Amplified Bible
5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6 In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,
And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
We must ensure that our eyes look straight ahead on the path before us, not turning left or right.
Proverbs 4:25-26 New King James Version
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
The term straight (v.25) translates to yashar in Hebrew (Strong’s 3474), meaning pleasant, prosperous, and to make right. There is prosperity in the path of righteousness, a stark contrast to the consequences that you will face on the crooked path (Proverbs 10:9).
In verse 26, “ponder” translates to palas (Strong’s 6424). It means to weigh mentally and resolve. The term “path” translates to magal or magalah (Strong’s 4570) which means track or entrenchment. Entrenchment is the process of becoming so firmly established in a belief or attitude that change is very difficult. We must make the resolve to be so firmly planted on the path of righteousness that we do not change course.