Teaches … directs: the Lord ministers to his people through the word he speaks. This is their distinguishing privilege: to possess the revealed word. It is, first, a divine address to the mind (‘teach’), and then, secondly, through the mind to the will (‘direct’), and finally, in the life of obedience, it is best for you, the way of the highest good.

Yahweh has said this, your restorer,

Israel’s holy one.

“I am Yahweh your God,

the one who teaches you to succeed,

who directs you in the way you should go—

Yahweh reaffirms his relationship with his people here. The two relative clauses that follow describe this relationship. In both clauses Yahweh stresses what he does for his people.

God’s teachings are all directed to the “profit” of those to whom they are addressed; and, if received in a proper spirit, actually “profit” them more than anything else can do.

He teaches us to “profit.” In other words, he teaches us what really matters. He opens up to us the real treasures of life. He awakens in us a willingness gladly to suffer the loss of all things in order to gain Christ. And that’s the way we should go. Only a Redeemer, the Holy One, would take us there.

By this God shows himself to be a God in covenant with us, by his teaching us (Heb. 8:10, 11); and none teaches like him, for he gives an understanding.

Whom God redeems he teaches; whom he designs to deliver out of their afflictions he first teaches to profit by their afflictions, makes them partakers of his holiness, for that is the profit for which he chastens us, Heb. 12:10.

17. Teacheth thee to profit. That is, “teaches you what is for your own good.” Christ came to teach men the secrets of peace and blessing (Matt. 6:33; 16:24–26; John 6:33; John 10:9, 10; 17:3) and to guide them in the way of life eternal (John 10:9; 14:6; Heb. 10:20).

The Teacher-God instructs his people that they might succeed.

What a vital insight into divine law and morality. God did not establish moral law to frustrate “natural” human desires. God sets standards to show us “what is best for you.” Man can be good and happy. Man cannot be bad and happy. Let’s let God direct us in the way we should go, and experience that “peace like a river

Yahweh instructs Israel on how to live in a way that is for its own good. He gives his instructions so that those who obey him might profit, namely, that they might receive his blessings.

When translating profit it is important to avoid giving the idea of mere financial or material profit. GNB expresses this line clearly with “the one who wants to teach you for your own good” (similarly NRSV, NAB). NIV has “who teaches you what is best for you,” and REB says “I teach you for your own wellbeing.” Another possible model is “I teach you how to live your lives [or, conduct yourselves] with good things [or, blessings/benefits].”

II. As a teacher. 1. Look at the Gospel as a teacher: 2. Learning is never easy, yet all the teaching is profitable.

They should have learned something about God’s requirements of his covenant partners from the punishment God brought on their fathers (3:1–4:1; 7:1–25) when they brought disaster on themselves (3:9) and did not believe God’s promises (7:9) or obey his laws (42:24). God’s instructions were given for the purpose of teaching them “to be useful, successful” (NIV, “what is best”).

Very profitable also are the teachings of God’s providence, which chasten men, warn men, and tend to keep men in the right path.

He not only enlightens their eyes, but directs their steps. By his grace he leads them in the way of duty, by his providence he leads them in the way of deliverance. Happy are those that are under such a guidance!

Who leads you in the way you should go should not be taken literally. The noun way and the verb go are both used figuratively, referring to “manner of life” and “live/behave” respectively (see the comments on 2:3). This whole line means God shows the Israelites the manner in which they should live.

GECL reverses the last two lines, and does not use the metaphor of the way. For the last three lines it has “I, the LORD, your God, tell you what you must do and how you must live. My instructions are what is best for you.”

Translation examples for this verse are:

• This is what Yahweh, your Redeemer, Israel’s Holy One, says:

“I am Yahweh your God,

I teach you what is valuable/important for you to know,

I lead you in the way you should walk.

An example without direct speech is:

• Yahweh, your Redeemer and Holy One declares

that he is your God.

He teaches what will benefit you,

he shows you the way you should live.

III. As a leader. 1. The way God would have us go is not always according to our inclination; 2. The knowledge that it is His way should be enough.

In addition, Israel had God as a “director, leader” who graciously led her in the way that she should go. Initially this was manifest in God leading them out of Egypt, through the Red Sea, and through the wilderness (43:16; 48:21) and included God’s promise to lead blind Israel in the future (42:19).