Going; Goings
Introduction: The Significance of Movement in Scripture
In the Bible, the concepts of 'going' and 'goings' extend far beyond simple physical movement to become rich theological metaphors. These terms appear throughout Scripture in various Hebrew and Greek forms, describing everything from literal travel to the character of God's eternal activity. The biblical narrative is fundamentally a story of movement—from Eden's exile to the Exodus journey, from prophetic calls to 'go' to the Great Commission. This theme reveals how God interacts with creation through purposeful direction and how human response involves following divine pathways.
Literal Meanings and Physical Journeys
The most straightforward use of 'going' in Scripture refers to physical movement and travel. The Exodus story centers on Israel's 'goings out' from Egypt (Numbers 33:2), with Moses meticulously recording their journey stages. Boundary descriptions in the conquest narratives frequently mention 'the goings out' of territories, referring to their limits or extremities (Numbers 34:4-5, 9, 12; Joshua 15:7). The 'going down' of the sun marks time (Joshua 8:29; Daniel 6:14), while 'going up' often describes ascending topographical features or approaching Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:30; Luke 19:28). Ezekiel's temple vision includes careful attention to 'egresses' or places of exit (Ezekiel 44:5, ASV). These literal uses ground the concept in the tangible reality of biblical geography and daily life.
Metaphorical Uses: Human Conduct and Divine Guidance
More significantly, 'goings' frequently serves as a metaphor for human conduct and lifestyle. The Psalms repeatedly connect one's 'goings' or 'steps' with moral and spiritual direction. Psalm 17:5 originally prayed, 'Hold up my goings in thy paths,' though modern translations like the ESV render it 'My steps have held fast to your paths.' Psalm 40:2 celebrates God who 'set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.' Proverbs observes that 'the simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps' (Proverbs 14:15, ESV) and notes that 'the LORD ponders all his goings' (Proverbs 5:21). James warns that the rich will fade away 'in the midst of his goings' (James 1:11, ASV). This metaphorical usage emphasizes that every aspect of life's journey falls under God's observation and should align with His wisdom.
Divine 'Goings': God's Eternal Activity
The most theologically significant use appears in descriptions of God's own 'goings.' The prophet Micah delivers a messianic promise about a ruler from Bethlehem 'whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting' (Micah 5:2, KJV). This profound statement suggests the Messiah's origins are not merely historical but eternal, rooted in God's timeless purposes. Similarly, Habakkuk's theophany describes God's majestic appearance: 'His ways are everlasting' (Habakkuk 3:6, KJV), with the ASV translating 'His goings were as of old.' These passages portray God's actions not as reactive but as flowing from His eternal nature and consistent character. The divine 'goings' represent the unfolding of salvation history according to God's predetermined plan.
New Testament Developments and Commission
The New Testament continues and deepens these themes. Jesus' ministry involves constant movement—'going about' healing and teaching (Matthew 4:23), culminating in His 'going up' to Jerusalem (Luke 19:28). The resurrection narratives emphasize Jesus 'going before' His disciples to Galilee (Matthew 28:7). The Great Commission commands disciples to 'go therefore and make disciples of all nations' (Matthew 28:19), transforming 'going' from mere movement to missional purpose. The early church's growth is described through movement terminology—Saul 'going in and out' among the Jerusalem disciples after his conversion (Acts 9:28), and believers 'going about' preaching the word. Paul warns about idle ones 'going about from house to house' (1 Timothy 5:13, ESV), showing how directionless movement contrasts with purposeful mission.
Theological Implications for Christian Life
The biblical theme of 'going' carries important implications for contemporary faith. First, it emphasizes that God is a God of purposeful movement who directs history toward redemption. Second, it highlights human responsibility to align our 'goings' with God's paths, recognizing that our daily conduct matters spiritually. Third, it connects with the missionary nature of Christianity—faith is not static but sent, requiring obedient movement toward others with the gospel. Fourth, it offers comfort that God's 'goings' are from eternity, assuring believers that salvation rests on God's eternal purposes rather than temporary circumstances. Finally, it reminds Christians that our ultimate destination shapes our present journey, as we 'go' in hope toward the heavenly city (Hebrews 11:13-16).
Biblical Context
The theme of 'going' and 'goings' appears throughout Scripture, beginning with God's command to Abraham to 'Go from your country' (Genesis 12:1). It features prominently in the Exodus narrative (Numbers 33:2), wisdom literature (Psalms 17:5; 40:2; Proverbs 5:21; 14:15), and prophetic writings (Micah 5:2; Habakkuk 3:6). In the New Testament, it appears in Jesus' ministry (Luke 19:28), the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19), descriptions of early church activity (Acts 9:28), and epistolary instructions (1 Timothy 5:13; James 1:11). The concept plays multiple roles: describing physical journeys, establishing boundaries, marking time, illustrating moral conduct, revealing God's eternal nature, and commissioning missionary activity.
Theological Significance
Theologically, 'goings' reveals God as active in history, directing creation toward redemption. Micah 5:2's description of the Messiah's 'goings forth' from eternity points to Christ's pre-existence and divine nature. The metaphor of human 'goings' teaches that all of life constitutes a spiritual journey requiring God's guidance. It emphasizes that salvation history progresses through purposeful divine movement rather than random events. The theme also underscores the missionary imperative of Christianity—faith necessarily involves 'going' to others with the gospel. Ultimately, it connects human temporality with God's eternity, assuring believers that their transient journeys participate in God's eternal purposes.
Historical Background
Ancient Near Eastern cultures understood journeys as spiritually significant events, often undertaking pilgrimages to sacred sites. Biblical boundary descriptions using 'goings out' reflect standard legal terminology for defining territories in ancient property agreements. The emphasis on recording journey stages (Numbers 33) parallels ancient travel logs kept by Egyptian and Mesopotamian expeditions. References to 'going down' of the sun reflect pre-modern timekeeping dependent on solar observation. The connection between one's 'goings' and moral character aligns with wisdom traditions throughout the ancient world that used path imagery for life conduct. Micah's prophecy about Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) gains significance against the backdrop of Judah's vulnerability to Assyrian invasion, emphasizing that God's purposes transcend immediate political circumstances.