LIGHT OF ISRAEL

Before His enemies the Lord is the light of Israel. Those who turn their fury against Him will find that He is like a fire that devours those who are opposed to Him. When He comes, Israel will be able to rely on Him, v. 20, will return to Him, v. 21, and will enjoy the righteousness that He will bring, v. 22.

Light and the Lord are associated in a number of ways. Should He lift up the light of His countenance upon us it is a sign of His appreciation, Ps. 4. 6; the cry of the Psalmist, ‘O send out thy light’, Ps. 43. 3, is a recognition of our need to be led by Him; the acknowledgment that ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path’, Ps. 119.105, is the wise assertion of a spiritual mind. He is the God who covers himself with light as with a garment, Ps. 104. 2.

It is not the purpose of God to keep men and women in darkness. The power of darkness is the realm of the adversary, Col. 1. 13, and it is from that power the gospel delivers. The god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe, but the light of the gospel of the glory of God has shone to those who have believed. Peter also emphasises this when he writes of the One who has ‘called you out of darkness into his marvellous light’, 1 Pet. 2. 9.

Such privilege, however, does bring with it responsibilities. Showing ‘forth the praises’ of Him who has brought us into light entails displaying the virtues and moral excellence of the Lord. It is, in plain language, the need to be Christ-like at all times. Those who enjoy the light have learned from the revelation that such a blessing gives, of which others have no knowledge.

The outlook that lies ahead of us is not one of darkness. ‘And there shall be no night there … for the Lord God giveth them light’, Rev. 22. 5. Let that prospect encourage our hearts. No darkness, no fear, no ignorance! Truly the light is sweet!

‘Light divine surrounds thy going,
God Himself shall mark thy way;
Secret blessings, richly flowing,
Leads to everlasting day’. [J. N. Darby]