“But the path of the just (righteous) is like the light of dawn, That shines brighter and brighter until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day. 19The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.
Proverbs 4:11-12 AMP
Al clearer contract of the righteous and the wicked could not be described! The way of righteousness is always light and purity. Most of the time it is not the easiest or most convenient, but it is promised and proved to be the best! We saw in the previous verses a warning not to be deceived by the seeming ease of the way of the wicked. Matthew Henry in his commentary on this warning says, “And let all that are wise, and wish well to themselves, avoid the society of the wicked; for, [1.] It is very scandalous; for there is no disposition of mind that is a greater reproach to human nature, a greater enemy to human society, a bolder defiance to God and conscience, that has more of the devil’s image in it, or is more serviceable to his interests, than a delight to do mischief and to vex, and hurt, and ruin everybody.[1]” WOW! What a picture of the world today. We now move to the description of the righteous. We read in 2nd Samuel,
““The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. 3“The God of Israel, The Rock of Israel spoke to me, ‘He who rules over men righteously, Who rules in the fear of God, 4Is like the morning light when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, When the fresh grass springs out of the earth Through sunshine after rain.’”
2 Samuel 23:2-4 AMP
The book of Daniel tells us,
“Those who are [spiritually] wise will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven, and those who lead many to righteousness, [will shine] like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3 AMP
Remember the words of our Savior,
“Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12 AMP
Solomon contrasts these two paths and invites us to walk in the way of the light! Jesus told us that we are now the light of the world and we should not hide that light but rather to let it shine in the midst of the darkness! We read in the book of Job,
“You will succeed in whatever you choose to do, and light will shine on the road ahead of you.”
Job 22:28 AMP
Remember the Psalms 119?
“How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. Nun.105Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.”
Psalms 119:103-105
Let me encourage you to “walk in the light” of God’s Word. It has been foundation of the universe since its beginning and will continue to do what God has sent it forth to accomplish!
Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken
[1] Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible: Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1994), 963.