In short
It’s a straightforward (pun!) metaphor for doing what is right and typically what God commanded.
Why it is important
Variations of this phrase occur 17 times (that I can see) in the Bible; all in the Old Testament.
- Six times it is a command from the LORD, or a pledge to obey him
- Other times it is fairly literal, meaning that someone travelled only on the path they were supposed to, or they were pledging to do so
- Or it is a proverb (Prov 4:27) or divine commentary (2Ki 22:2; 2Ch 34:2) or some hybrid of all of this (Is 30:21)
In the Book of Joshua
But relevant to this week, I think it’s neat that it bookends the book of Joshua.
First the LORD commands this to Joshua:
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:5-9
And at the end of the book, Joshua charges the leaders of the next generation:
“And you have seen all that the LORD your God has done to all these nations for your sake, for it is the LORD your God who has fought for you. …Therefore, be very strong to keep and to do all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, turning aside from it neither to the right hand nor to the left, that you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them, but you shall cling to the LORD your God just as you have done to this day.”
Joshua 23:3-8
Theology and doctrine
The end of Joshua’s speech is a better conclusion than I could craft.
“But just as all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you have been fulfilled for you, so the LORD will bring upon you all the evil things, until he has destroyed you from off this good land that the LORD your God has given you, if you transgress the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them. Then the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and you shall perish quickly from off the good land that he has given to you.”
Joshua 23:15-16
Following God is simple. Do what he wants. The end.
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