Proverbs 4:18-19

Proverbs 4:18-19 "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble."
Church Elma NY
As we read and consider Scripture, we have to remember the words of Proverbs 30:5, which states that every word of God is pure.”   Every book, chapter and verse of Scripture is pure.  Every sentence and phrase of Scripture is pure.  Every WORD of Scripture is pure.  Because every single word of Scripture is pure, every single word of Scripture is important.  From spiritually-significant words like “faith” and “charity” to spiritually-insignificant words like “is” and “the,” every word of Scripture is important.  These verses in Proverbs 4 illustrate this truth well.
 
In his ongoing campaign of promoting the way of wisdom over the way of wickedness, Solomon did not tell his son that the path of the just is a bright path nor did he assign darkness to the wrong path.  Carefully note what he did say and how a little word defined the meaning of what he said in these verses.  In verse seventeen, Solomon declared the path of the just to be “AS” the shining light while in verse eighteen, he described the way of the wicked being “AS” darkness.  This tiny two-letter word cannot be ignored or overlooked.  Removing the word, “as” in these verses would give them an entirely different meaning; a meaning that God didn’t intend when inspiring the son of David.

If God meant for Solomon to tell his son and his readers that the path of the just is bright and the way of the wicked is dark, then He wouldn’t have included the little word, “as” in each statement.  Again, every word of God is pure,” which makes every word of God relevant and important.  Solomon used the word, “as” often in his writings as it a word that provides imagery without compromising accuracy.  Overlooking any word, including this little word can change the meaning of an entire verse or passage.  Take the Song of Solomon for example.  The removal of this little word in the Song of Solomon would render the book unrealistic and untrustworthy.  For example, consider five verses in the fifth chapter without this little word when describing the man of the romantic relationship:
11 - “His head is the most fine gold.”
12 - “His eyes are the eyes of doves.”
13 - “His cheeks are a bed of spices.”
14 - “His hands are gold rings set with the beryl.”
14 - “His belly is bright ivory overlaid with sapphires.”
15 - “His legs are pillars of marble, set upon sockets of fine gold.”

Without the six uses of the little word, “as” in this passage, it would appear that a Marvel superhero is being described.  Spoiler-alert: there are no superheroes with gold heads, spiced cheeks, gold fists, ivory abs, marble legs and bird vision!  Without the important two-letter word in Scripture, a passage can mean something it does not.  Take God the Father’s words for example in Genesis 3:22 when He said, “Behold, the man is become AS one of us.”  Remove one tiny word from that holy statement and we have God saying, “Behold, the man is become one of us.”  Such a statement would be blasphemous since there are only three Members of the Godhead – God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit.  For another example, consider the words of Christ in Matthew 22:30 when He taught, “In the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are AS the angels of God in heaven.”  A simple oversight of that little word, “as” would result in the teaching that men and women become angels when they enter Heaven when they don’t.  Christ used angels in His teaching only in relation to the state of marriage in Heaven.  

Solomon used the word, “as” frequently in each of his books, not just in the Song of Solomon.  In Proverbs 16:27, he wrote, “An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is AS a burning fire.”  Overlooking that little word, “as” could lead someone to falsely assume that Solomon was describing a person who smokes cigarettes, cigars or pipes.

Why point out such a small word in a set of big statements in Proverbs 4:17-18?

Because the use of the word, “AS” ultimately defines what it exactly is that Solomon is saying.  Without the word, “as” in each of these verses, it would be easy to conclude that the path of the just is a visibly bright path while the way of the wicked is a visibly dark path.  Without taking the word, “as” into account when interpreting these verses, it would be natural to conclude that one can choose their path in life based on the outside appearance of these paths.  In other words, if the people and circumstances at one optional path in life seem dark, then it must be the wicked way while if the people and circumstances at another optional path in life appears bright, then it must be the right way.  This is not at all what the Bible is teaching because the wrong path in life isn’t always dark and the right path in life isn’t always bright.  Paul the Apostle told the Corinthians that Satan, the Doctor of Darkness, can transform himself “into an angel of LIGHT(2 Corinthians 11:14).  In other words, the gatekeeper of the wicked way can make that way look bright and light.  On the flip side, David, the Sweet Psalmist of Israel spoke intimately in the Psalms about being in “darkness” and walking in the “valley of the SHADOW of death” (Psalm 18:28; 23:4).  In other words, the right path doesn’t always look bright from the outside.

By using the word, “as” in each of these verses, Solomon is teaching us that the two opposing paths in life are vastly different in what can be seen on those paths, not necessarily in how those paths are seen.  Although at times the wrong path in life may look bright from the outside, it is a dark path that makes it impossible to see what’s wrong amidst life’s biggest obstacles.  On the contrary, although at times the right path in life may look dark from the outside, it is a bright path that offers insight into life’s greatest challenges.  Those who travel the way of the wicked don’t succeed because they can’t even see what they’re stumbling over.  Those who travel the path of the just succeed because they gain increased insight about themselves, others, God and life the longer they stay on that path.

Choosing the path of the just is like choosing to assemble a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle with bright lights all around you.  Choosing the way of the wicked however, is like choosing to assemble that same puzzle in the dark.  Life offers everyone the relatively same set of challenges.  The path of the just offers light – increasing light – to solve those problems.  The way of the wicked offers no light to solve those same problems.

In a passage that starts with heeding parental counsel, it is understandable that a young man would fail to see the light and excitement of choosing the path that an older, wiser parent suggests.  Young men and women often see the wise ways of their parents as gloomy, boring and plagued with darkness.  When these same young people look at the alternative in the world, they see bright lights, activity and excitement.  In such a case, the right path looks dark and the wrong path looks bright when in reality, the wrong path is a spiritually dark one while the right path is a spiritually bright one.  Young person, choose justice and righteousness whether it looks bright and exciting or not.  When you choose justice and wisdom, you will choose a path that will offer you light and insight that will then grow in intensity with each day you live.  It is only on this path that people truly succeed.     

Recent

Archive

 2023

Categories

Tags

Rehoboam Solomon fear of God health pride self-sufficiency wisdom 1 Corinthians 2020 5th Commandment Aaron Abel Abigail Abortion Abraham Absalom Accident Accomplishment Achan Acts 17 Adam Adolescence Adolf Hitler Adulterer Adulteress Affair Age Ahijah Ahithophel Albany Alcoholism Ally American America Amnon Andrew Finch Answered Prayer Apple of Eye Arrogance Asaph Athletes Backbone Back Balance Bank Accounts Bathsheba Beauty Bedroom Beecher Behavior Benefit Benjamin Bethlehem Bezaleel Bible reading Bible teacher Bible Biblical instruction Bin Laden Birth Boasting Bonar Bondage Boomerang Boyfriend Budget Buffalo Bills Building CA Rt 1 Cable News Calamity Call of Duty Calvin Canaan Cancer Candidates Careers Casey Viner Character Christian upbringing Christ Churches Clamor Clinton Clothes Clothing Coaches College Communication Conception Confidentiality Conflict Conservation Contrast Conversation Corinthians Corrupt Cosigner Cosigning Cosign Countenance Courting Coworkers Creation Creator Crime Criminals Crooked Cruel Curiosity Currency Danger Daniel Data Dating Daughters David Death Deceit Deceptive Delilah Democracy Democratic Desire Deuteronomy Devil Diligent Discovery Disease Dishonesty Dishonor Divorce Dress Drink Drug lords Drunk Driver Drunk Early Adulthood Ecclesiastes Economic Stability Eden Elderly Elihu Elijah Emerson Engagement Enoch Ephesians Ephraimites Esau Esther Evening Eve Evolution Exodus Expectations Expectation Experience Face Faithful Famine Fashion Favor of God Fear of the Lord Fearing God Feast of Purim Financial Advisor Financial Security Fingers Food Foolish Football Free-will Freedom Friendships Friend Froward Fruit Fumble GPS Galatians Gamble Gang Gender Differences Genesis Gideon Gileadites Girlfriend Girls Giving Glad Godhead Goliath Gossip Graciousness Grandchildren Gratitude Grave Grief Guide Guns Hagar Haman Hamlet Hannah Harlot Hate Evil Hatred Healthy Heaven Hebrews Herod History Hollywood Holy Spirit Homicide Honesty House Humble Humility Hypocrisy Hypocrites Immorality Independence Inherit Insecurity Insight Instructing Integrity Internet Interview Inventions Isaac Israel Jacob Jairus James Jealousy Jeremiah Jeroboam Jerusalem Jesus Christ Jesus Jewish Law Jewish Jobs Job John the Apostle Jonah Joseph Joshua Josiah Joy Judah Judaism Judas Iscariot Judges Judgmental Justice System Kindness King David King Hezekiah Kings King Language Law Enforcement Law Leaders Learn Liar Lies Life Lesson Lion Loan Longevity Look Looting Lori Loughlin Lottery Love Triangle Lowliness Luke 7 Luke Luther Lying Magazines Majority Makeup Manna Mark Martyr Marvel Mary Matthew Media Men Merciful Mike Tyson Mindset Mob Mocking Monopoly Moody Morality Mordecai Morning Moses Mouths Natural Disaster Naughtiness Nebuchadnezzar Negative Nehemiah New Tricks News Anchors Noah Nobles Numbers O.J. Simpson Obama Observation Obtain Old Dogs Order Others Parenting Passion Pastors Paul the Apostle Paul Perspective Perverse Perversion Peter Pharisees Pharoah Philippians Physical Appearance Plant Pleasure Politicians Politics Polygamy Poor Popularity Positive Potiphar's Wife Potiphar\'s Wife Potiphar\\\'s Wife Potiphar\\\\\\\'s Wife Praise Prate Prating Pregnancy Pregnant Preparation Princes Prince Principal Thing Principal Procrastinate Procrastinator Profit Prophecy Prophet Prosperity Gospel Prostitute Protests Proverbs Proverb Psalm 21 Psalm 35 Psalm 37 Psalms Psalm Punishment Pure Purity Purpose Rachel Rage Rebekkah Rehoboam Rehoboma Relationship Remember Reporter Reprove Republican Reputation Research Resume Resurrection Revealing Revelation Reward Rich Man Rich Ridicule Right Riot Road Rulers Rules Sabbath Sadness Samson Samuel Satan Saul Saving Scale Scam Science Scientist Scripture Sea of Galilee Seasons Secrets Seed Seek Self-Confidence Selfies Selfishness Sexual Chaos Sexual Confusion Shakespeare Shame Shane Gaskill Shenandoah Valley Shoe Laces Siblings Sickness Silence Simon Peter Simon Social Media Society Solomon Song of Solomon Sons Sorrow Source Speaking Speak Speech Spies Spiritual Security Sporting Sport Spouses Steal Stephen Stock Market Strange Woman Strangers Stratego Strength Stress Surely Surety Swatting Sweat Talebearer Talkative Talking Tamar Taylor Teachers Teaching Teenagers Teens Tendency Theft Theocracy Timothy Tithes To be or not to be Toddlers Tolerance Tomb Tongue Tour Guide Travel Treasure Treatment Trickery Trinity Trips Trouble True Love True Wisdom Turner Tyler Barriss Understanding Unforgiveness Unhealthy Universities Unjust Unrighteous Upright Value Vehicle Vengeance Virtuous Vision Voting Walk Washington Watsom Way of Life Way Weight Winking Wink Wise Men Witnessing Womb Women Work Ethic Worth Wrong Yankees YouTube Zechariah addiction adultery advertisements advertiser advertising advice advisor affection affirmation aggression alcohol amos angels anointing ant anxiety appetite argument assumption as attractions authority background backyard bankrupt battle beginning birds bitterness blessed brain bright broken nose buckler campfire cardinal sins career carelessness car cause certainty charity chastening childhood childrearing children child choices church attendance church command confidence confident consequences considerate contention contentment conversaion correction counselor counsel covetousness criticism cruelty cynicism dads dad darkness dark daughter debt deception decisions defend defense demands destruction determination diamonds diligence direction disappointment discernment discipleship disciples disciple discipline discontentment discord discretion distractions distress doctrine dogs drinking drugs dying ear education effort emotions employee employer employment enemies enticement enticing envy equity evil communications evil men evil women evil example eyelids eyes ezekiel facts failure fairness faith family fathers father favor fear of God fear feelings feminine fighting fight filthy finances fire flattery focus following foolishness foolishnes fools fool forgiveness fornication friends future gambling gender gold good men good government grace greed guard guilt happiness happy harm hate headlights health heart hear hold your peace holiness home honor hope hunger husbands husband ignorance illustration income inequality infidelity influence iniquity insomnia instincts instruction intimacy investigation isaiah issued issue jewelry judgment justice just kidnapper kidney kids knowledge labor law of sowing and reaping laziness lazy leadership learning legacy length of days lessons let life light lips listening listen little liver living loans loneliness long life love lucifer lust man marketing marriage math memorization memory mercy messenger millions mind ministry mischief misery mistakes mom money mothers mother motive mouth movies nature necklace neck neighbor obscenity observant oil oppression oppressor organs ornaments parable paranoia parenthood parents parent pastoring path peace peer pressure peers peer permission personification pleasant politician ponder pornography pottymouth poverty power prayer preservation pride priests private procrastination prodigal profanity prosperity prostitution protection protect prudence public restroom purchases reading reaping reason rebellion rebuke regret rejection relate relationships relevant remedy remembrance remorse repetition replacement reproof respect responsibility responsible retain retention riches righteousness righteous risk robber romance rubies safety sailor salvation schools scorner secret security seduction seeing see self-sufficiency self-sufficient serpent seven deadly sins seven sexist sexual sin sex silver simple simplicity sinners sin skepticism slander sleeplessness sleep slothfulness sluggard smoke to the eyes smoke son soul sowing spleen spouse stability stranger strange strife striving successful success suicide talents talk taxes teacher television temptation tendencies thief thieves thinking think thoughtfulness thoughts thought threats time tithe tree of life trust truth tv vehicles vice video games vinegar to the teeth vinegar violence violent virtue virtuous woman visual voice of God voice vulgar walking war wealth well wickedness wicked wife will wine wisdom wise sayings wise wives woman word of God words workplace work worry young man young people young youth