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Your Life Course Can Be Straight Ahead of You

Proverbs 12:28 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
²⁸In the path of righteousness is life,
and in its pathway there is no death.

In the path of righteousness is life: Here the path (אֹרַח orach) of righteousness (צְדָקָה tsedaqah), that is, the life course of a blameless upright believer is straight ahead of you, meaning the way in which you are to go is very clear so you can be aware of the unseen dangers that lay outside the boundaries of the path of the righteous. Those on the path of righteousness possess moral insight that adds joy to their life, while the way of the wicked possesses ignorance that leads to unhappiness.

and in its pathway there is no death: Here its pathway is literally “the way of path,” which refers to a particular kind of way. In other words, a safe path that can be trusted. In addition, no death means without death, namely, where there is no death.

The righteous ones who have walked on the path of righteousness have the assurance that there is no death for them; that is, they have the hope of eternal life.

The path of righteousness is truly clear as you can see the world of mankind, who are alienated from God outside the boundaries of the path. These boundaries are the standards set out in the Word of God that serve as protection to the righteous one throughout his journey. Just like in the case of Job, God has given us a shield of protection, that is, his Word, the Bible, which is figuratively placed around his people. This keeps his followers from wasting their lives on the foolish pursuits of this fallen world in drunkenness, gluttony, violence, or lecherous living. The wisdom received from the Word of God is like the guard rails on a road, guiding the righteous through the dangers common to the unbelievers. God has not given us life, so we waste it on the common pursuits in Satan’s fallen world. The apostle Peter showed how a change occurs in the lives of the believer:

1 Peter 4:3-7 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)
³For the time that has passed by is sufficient for doing the will of the Gentiles, living in sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. ⁴With respect to this that you do not run with them into the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; ⁵but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. ⁶For the gospel has for this purpose been preached even to those who are dead, that though they are judged in the flesh as men, they may live in the spirit according to the will of God. ⁷The end of all things has drawn near; therefore be sound in mind^[1] and be sober-minded^[2] in prayers.

[1] Sound in Mind: (Gr. sophroneo) This means to be of sound mind or in one’s right mind, i.e., to have understanding about practical matters and thus be able to act sensibly, ‘to have sound judgment, to be sensible, to use good sense, sound judgment.’–Acts 26:25; Romans 12:3; 2 Timothy 1:7; Titus 2:6; 1 Peter 4:7

[2] Sober Minded: (Gr. nepho) This denotes being sound in mind, to be in control of one’s thought processes and thus not be in danger of irrational thinking, ‘to be sober-minded, to be well composed in mind.’–1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Peter 1:13; 4:7; 5:8