There are references to light &
darkness in Proverbs & Ecclesiastes, and as I've been studying these things
elsewhere, it seemed a good idea to also shine my own spotlight on some
passages in the wisdom literature.
Below are some passages that speak for
themselves. Pay attention to the
promises God is making. If we will
receive His words and treasure His commandments … look at the benefits! It’s staggering, and far better than the ways
of darkness.
Prayerfully consider these teachings, and
challenge yourself and your brothers and sisters … are you taking seriously the
pursuit of wisdom? Are you encouraging
your fellow travelers to do so? If not,
how can you claim to love them, to be the light, or even to walk in the light?
If
you will …
receive
my words & treasure my commandments within you, Make your ear
attentive to wisdom, Incline your heart to understanding…
if
you … cry for discernment, Lift your voice for understanding;
If
you … seek her as silver & search for her as for hidden treasures;
Then
you will … discern the fear of the Yahweh
& discover the knowledge of God. For Yahweh gives wisdom;
From
His mouth come knowledge
and understanding. He
stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a shield to those who walk in
integrity, guarding the
paths of justice, &
He
preserves the way of His godly ones.
Then
you will … discern righteousness and justice & equity & every good course….
Wisdom
will enter your heart & knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
Discretion
will guard you,
Understanding
will watch over you, to deliver you
from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perverse things; from those who
leave the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness; who
delight in doing evil & rejoice in the perversity of evil; whose paths are
crooked, & who are devious in their ways….
Proverbs 2:1-15
- - - -
Hear,
my son, and accept my sayings and…
The
years of your life will be many.
I
have directed you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in upright paths.
When
you walk, your steps will not be impeded; & if you run, you will not
stumble.
Take
hold of instruction; do not let go. Guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the
path of the wicked & do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do
not pass by it; turn away from it and pass on. For they cannot
sleep unless they do evil; & they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. For they eat the
bread of wickedness & drink the wine of violence. But…
…The
path of the righteous is like the light of dawn that shines brighter and
brighter until the full day!
The
way of the wicked is like darkness; they don’t know over what they stumble.
My
son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. don’t let them
depart from your sight; Keep them in the midst of your heart. For they are life to those who find them &
health to all their body.
Watch
over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs
of life.
Put
away from you a deceitful mouth & put devious speech far from you.
Let
your eyes look directly ahead & let your gaze be fixed straight in front of
you.
Watch
the path of your feet & all your ways will be established.
Do
not turn to the right nor to the left….
Proverbs 4:10-27
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