It has been noted in the Bible that there is no path spoken of in the Garden of Eden. No, for man in his innocence had only to remain in that garden, and as long as he was obedient to the one command given to him, he would be in the enjoyment of God’s goodness. Likewise, we do not read of any path in heaven, for there will be no need up there of being careful about where we walk. But in this world there is a path for faith, and no matter how difficult the days are in which we live, we can be sure that God has a path for us — a path in which we can honor Him.
This truth is illustrated for us by a passage in the book of Job, which was written thousands of years ago. Job could say, “There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen: the lion’s whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it” (Job 28:7-87There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: 8The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. (Job 28:7‑8)). The imagery is that of mining, where men dig down under the earth and find valuable minerals, such as silver, gold, iron and copper, as well as precious stones. No animal goes down there to find such things, yet these treasures are very much prized by mankind. But let us look at the passage from a spiritual point of view.
First of all, we read the positive statement, “There is a path.” In these difficult days, the path for the believer may seem hard to find, and sad to say, some dear Christians are saying, “Things are getting so confusing in this world that it is impossible to know how to follow the Lord.” But God assures us that “there is a path,” and surely He will never give us instruction in His Word without making it possible for us to walk in it.
Birds of Prey
Then it talks about how no fowl knows that path. He is probably referring to birds of prey like the eagle or the owl, who have wonderful eyesight. A flying eagle can see a mouse on the ground as far as two miles (more than three kilometers) away, and it can see a rabbit as far as three miles (almost five kilometers) away. This kind of eyesight speaks to us of human wisdom, which can indeed be very effective in natural things. But it is no help in finding the pathway of faith, for that path can be found only in communion with God. The wisdom of God is found only in Christ, of whom it is said that He is “made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:3030But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30)). Only the wisdom of God in Christ can show us the path God has for us in this world.
Vultures
Then we read about the vulture — a bird that also has very keen eyesight. But unlike birds of prey, the vulture feeds on dead things. It too can spot a dead carcass several miles away. Then it flies toward the carcass, circling around as it gets closer to it, so as to attract other vultures. Together they devour the dead animal, and sometimes even eat the bones too.
The vulture perhaps speaks of the worldly system in which we live and move. As long as we are perceived by the world to be spiritually alive as Christians, the world will not likely be attracted to us. But it is easy for us as Christians to settle down in this world, and to be spiritually dead, feeding on the dead things of this world. It is this kind of Christian to which the world is attracted, just as the vulture is attracted to the carcass of a dead animal. But just as the vulture has not seen the wealth obtained in mining, so he cannot discover the path God has for His children. We are safe from the vulture in that path.
The Lions
Then we read about the lion’s whelps, or, in other words, the young lion. The lion in Scripture speaks of strength, but when the young lion is mentioned in the Bible, it usually speaks of super strength. But even the young lion cannot tread the path of the miner; he has never been in such a place. So it is with the path of faith. No matter how strong we are naturally, we cannot walk the path of faith in our own strength. We need the Lord’s strength to do it, and we must walk that path in continual dependence upon Him.
Finally, we read that the “fierce lion” has not passed by that path. The lion is known to be one of the strongest and fiercest of wild animals, and very few other animals will dare to fight with him. The lion in Scripture often speaks of Satan, for he is described as “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion ... seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:88Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)). However, he cannot attack us in the path of faith, for he knows that he is a defeated enemy. He may pass by many other paths, looking for those whom he may attack, but he has not passed by the path of faith.
We see then that there is a path for faith in this world and that it is a path that cannot be discovered by human wisdom. It is a path to which the world is not attracted, and it cannot be trodden in our own strength. Finally, it is a path in which we are safe from the attacks of Satan. If we look to Him, trust Him and obey Him, the Lord will always show us that path, no matter how great the confusion in this world.
In these last days, things are getting more difficult in every part of the world. Yet the Lord is the same, His Spirit is still here to lead and guide us, and His Word will give us wisdom, through Christ, to have “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:33According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Peter 1:3)). He will see us safely home in that path!
W. J. Prost