Page 18 - The Prosperous Way _ (APRIL 2024 v3)

THE PROSPEROUS WAY

Therefore, a rough translation of this compound word is “to travel a
good road,” or “to make good progress.” Similarly, ‘tsalach’ (the word
most frequently translated as ‘to prosper’ in the Old Testament) usually
expresses the idea of a successful outcome or venture.

Here are some illustrations of how these words are used
interchangeably in different translations of the Bible. (Note: In each
Scripture quoted below, the main passage is taken from the King James
Version, with the wording from The New International Version being in
parentheses).

• And he said unto me, “The Lord before whom I walk, will send
his angel with thee, and prosper thy way; and thou shalt take a

wife for my son of my kindred. [He replied, ‘The Lord, before
whom I have walked, will send his angel with you and make your
journey a success so that you can get a wife for my son from my
own clan and from my father’s family]. (Genesis 24:40)

• Because the Lord was with Joseph, and that which he did the
Lord made it to prosper . [Because the Lord was with Joseph and
gave him success in whatever he did]. (Genesis 39:23)

• I, even I have spoken, yea, I have called him: I have brought him,
and he shall make his way prosperous . [I, even I, have spoken;
yes, I have spoken. I have called him, and I will bring him, and he
will succeed in his mission]. (Isaiah 48:15)

• Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be
in health, even as thy soul prospereth. [Dear friend, I pray that
you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you
even as your soul is getting along well]. (3 John 1:2)

We can therefore conclude that one clear meaning of the word
‘prosper’ in the Bible is to successfully accomplish the things that you set
out to do. It means to progressively achieve the desired result or to
obtain an anticipated and successful outcome. In the truest meaning of
the word, therefore, prosperity is in fact a journey. It is a good road set
before us to travel because it is a road that leads to success.

We know, however, that to be successful at some things will make us
materially wealthy, and to succeed at others will not. After all, it is just as

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