May 3, 2022

What do you think it means to, “walk in the light of the LORD’S countenance?” First, the Hebrew word “light,” is h0216, and is the same word Yahweh used (on the first day of creation) to speak “let there be light” in Genesis 1:3. That “light” was different than the illumination from the Sun, which Yahweh created on the fourth day.

Notably, in contrast, Yahweh defined the opposite of the light of the first day as darkness, which He called Night, in gen 1:5 nkjv If we examine he word darkness, h2822, it can mean literal darkness and much more… figuratively, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness, obscurity. You will notice all these “darkness” issues will not be in the New Jerusalem, the new Heaven and Earth to come… namely, because Yahweh’s presence will be there, and in His countenance the darkness cannot exist; note

“The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” rev 21:23 nkjv, and

“There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.” rev 22:5 nkjv

The New Testament book of John, chapter 9 gives us a connection to the spiritual understanding of the above scriptures, when Yeshua created such a stir among the Religious leaders when he healed the blind man… Yeshua said,

“I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” jn 9:4-5 nkjv

“Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” jn 8:12 nkjv

Frankly, the Religious leaders hated the “light” of Yahweh’s countenance… In our “dark” society, the same conflict will confront believers about whom Yeshua said, “ye are the light of the world,” mat 5:14 nkjv I think that as the world drifts further into “darkness,” that if we keep our “candle [light]” on the lamp stand as Yeshua said, that we can be a guidepost, a lighthouse so to speak, in the darkness for shipwreck people who may have no other chance for help.

I remember that as a child, our Sunday School teacher taught us to sing, “this little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine…” Let us stay connected to the “light source” of real life, Yeshua the Messiah, and may His Holy Spirit empower us to stay illuminated for those needing the message of the Gospel, the only hope for a world deep in darkness.

Paul told the Philippian believers,

“Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.” Phil 2:14-16 nkjv

Shalom… John