Proverbs 15:30, After Darkness – Light!

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October 8, Proverbs 15:30

John 9:13-37 “The single eye fills the whole body with Light.”

After Darkness – Light!

The expression the light of the eyes suggests the eyes are like a lamp. This is the word used in Genesis 1:16 to designate the Sun and Moon. How thankful we should be for God’s luminaries that cast their light on our eyes and that rejoice our hearts and lives (Eccl. 11:7). A secondary meaning may refer to the light we love to see in the eyes of our friends, especially when others look kindly on us (Ps. 4:6).

1. The Happy One: The light of the eyes, rejoices (makes merry) the heart. In 15:13 we saw that a merry (joyous) heart makes a cheerful countenance, literally, a good face. In today’s verse, “bright” eyes and a “merry heart” go together. So “whatever gives light acts as a luminary to the eyes, casting light and brightness upon them, and extends through them its influence to the heart” (Perowne). “The luminary of the eyes gives the light of joy to the heart” (BDB). “They looked unto him and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed” (Ps. 34:5). Some suggest that the good report here refers, not just to good news (Gen. 45:27-28), but to the best news, to the knowledge of God (2 Sam. 22:29). The eye-gate reaches the heart for good or ill. Ezekiel, speaking for God, says, The bright lights of heaven will I make dark over thee (32:8). Is it not tragic when God withdraws His light from His people? To look to God, and see Him with the eyes of faith, is the greatest joy. How wonderful is that light! How it cheers the heart of the believer!

2. The Healthy One: A good report maketh the bones fat. This figure means something “eminently gratifying, beneficial.” “The man who is truly happy, is affected clear down to his bones” (Alden)! In lands where drought is ever a threat, moisture is a coveted boon. Making the bones fat is having plenty of marrow, attesting to “soundness, strength, health” (Isa. 52:7-8; 58:11; 66:14). In contrast, dry bones speak of sickness, poverty, death. Remember the vision God gave Ezekiel of the Valley full of dry bones (37).

a. Faith in God means firm trust in Him. It is a good report when a repentant sinner receives the good things of God, and a good name (Eccl. 7:1); to have his eyes opened to see the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 4:6).

b. Love for God produces health of soul, and the power from that unconquerable love to do exploits for God. “As the sunbeams united in a burning glass burn the hotter, so all our affections should be united, that our love to God may be more ardent” (Watson).

c. Hope in God gives an invincible and blessed hope (Ti. 2:13). In his prayer, Ezra speaks of God’s grace and of a remnant and a nail in his holy place, that our God may enlighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage (Ezra. 9:8). Should not Ezra’s prayer be yours?

Thought: “Light is light, though blind eyes cannot see it.”

Prayer: Lord, that I might have the radiant faith of a good report.