Proverbs 6:23 (ESV)
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light,
and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
The word "light" in the above proverb is used over 200 times in the OT. It is found in almost every book. The most popular or known use might be in Psalm 119:105 where we are told that the word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light onto our path. Solomon might have heard his father, David, say that many times as he ruled Israel and simply repeated it, here, in this proverb. The commandments are a lamp and the teaching (Hebrew word: Torah) is light for us. God has not left us in the dark. He has given us light for our path and that light is the glorious splendor of His Word. Paul told Timothy that the Word of God is profitable to teaching us and correct us (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Perhaps Paul was reading this proverb when he wrote to young Pastor Timothy. He is telling us that the Word of God gives us “light” to set the necessary boundaries for our lives. Not only is the teaching of God a light but the corrections of God are the way of life for the one who seeks God's face. God will continue to lead us and, if necessary, correct us. Especially if we go out of bounds. If His Word isn't followed, or ignored, or forgotten, or disobeyed, His correction will be there as a way of life. God gives us a road map and, if we wander from the map, a hand to correct us and jar us back to the right path. David was about to do something wrong when he attempted to number Israel. God sent Nathan the prophet to jar him back to his senses. This is the same Nathan who came to David after he committed the sin with Bathsheba (Solomon's mom). When David failed to obey the light of the Word, he experienced the hardness of God's faithful hand. Either way God guides His children. One is light and the other is hard.
This proverb is a reminder to us about how to survive in life and how to find our way. It is important to see the "parrelellism" in this proverb. The first line and the second line are not saying the same thing. So, this is not a synonymous parrelellism. The second line further explains and developes the first line, so this is what is referred to as synthetic parrelellism. The second line here is telling us that our life journey (the road "way" is actually a Hebrew word that pictures a "road" or a "journey on a road") is one where we will encounter "reproofs for discipline" or perhaps another way to state it; we are all going to experience difficulties in our life that can produce correction and wisdom. Wisdom is available through all our reproofs and difficulties. However, the only way that it is going to work is if we look at the content of the fist line; God's Word is a light that reveals the meanings and purpose of the reproofs and corrections. God gave us His Word so that we can use it as a light when the darkness of life troubles us and is there to prefect us and refine us. His commandments are those lights we need to see the meaning behind the dark reproofs of life. Proverbs is about wisdom. Solomon gives us insight into how to find it ... look in our reproofs.
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