“These are of those who rebel against the light. They don’t know its ways, nor stay in its paths.
Parallel Translations
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“These are of those who rebel against the light. They don’t know its ways, nor stay in its paths.
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They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
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These are of them that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
Cross-references (19)
Passages linked to Job 24:13 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- John 3:19-20 This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light, and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.
- Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.
- Jude 1:6 Angels who didn’t keep their first domain, but deserted their own dwelling place, he has kept in everlasting bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn’t receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be judged who didn’t believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
- John 9:39-41 Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.” Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.
- 2 Peter 2:20-22 For if, after they have escaped the defilement of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in it and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after knowing it, to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. But it has happened to them according to the true proverb, “The dog turns to his own vomit again,” and “the sow that has washed to wallowing in the mire.”
- 1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us.
- John 8:31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.
- John 8:44 You are of your father, the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies.
- John 12:35 Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going.
- John 12:40 “He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart, lest they should see with their eyes, and perceive with their heart, and would turn, and I would heal them.”
- John 15:6 If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
- John 15:22-24 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me, hates my Father also. If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now they have seen and also hated both me and my Father.
- Romans 1:32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also approve of those who practice them.
- Romans 2:17-24 Indeed you bear the name of a Jew, rest on the law, glory in God, know his will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, and are confident that you yourself are a guide of the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babies, having in the law the form of knowledge and of the truth. You therefore who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preach that a man shouldn’t steal, do you steal? You who say a man shouldn’t commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who glory in the law, do you dishonor God by disobeying the law? For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.
- Romans 3:11-17 There is no one who understands. There is no one who seeks after God. They have all turned away. They have together become unprofitable. There is no one who does good, no, not so much as one.” “Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.” “The poison of vipers is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood. Destruction and misery are in their ways. The way of peace, they haven’t known.”
- James 4:17 To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn’t do it, to him it is sin.
- Job 23:11-12 My foot has held fast to his steps. I have kept his way, and not turned away. I haven’t gone back from the commandment of his lips. I have treasured up the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
- Luke 12:47-48 That servant, who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare, nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (17 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain That is, God’s word, because they are reproved thereby.
That is, God’s word, because they are reproved thereby.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against…
Job 24:13 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof.
Ver. 13. They are of those that rebel against the light] Against the common light of the sun, say some, which they are ready to curse (as the Atlantes, a people of Ethiopia, are said to do), and could wish extinct, that they might sin unseen (Herodot.). Others more fitly understand it of the light of nature and Scripture; against which wicked atheists rise up and rebel; as malcontents and mutineers do against lawful authority. In the poor blind Ethnics it is to be seen that some few principles and notions of good and evil, right and wrong, truth and falsehood, are yet to be found in corrupt nature; like as when cities and great buildings are overthrown by war, some towers, some pinnacles, survive the violence. Now some desperate sinners against their own souls take the boldness to tear out these principles, that might any way disturb their course in sin; and to take an order with their natural consciences, clapping up those prophets from God, close prisoners, Rom 1:18, till at length all that little light is lost, that rush candle quite extinct. When wine is poured out of a cup the sides are yet moist. But when it is rinsed and wiped, then remaineth not the least taste. Even so that glimmering of divine light left in the natural man is so defaced by obstinace in sin, that not the least spark thereof remaineth. These bats have flown so long against that light, that at length they have put it out. And whereas to those that live under the ordinances there is another light risen, viz. that of God’s word and works, graceless wretches shut their windows, lest this light should come in upon them, as the Pharisees did, Joh 3:18. They hate it because their deeds are evil, saith our Saviour; they spurn and scorn at it, saith Solomon, Pro 1:7.; they are willingly ignorant, saith Peter; they wink wilfully, saith Austin, martyr; Ut liberius peccent, libenter ignorant, saith Bernard, they rebel against the light, as Balaam did when he set his face toward the wilderness, and would needs curse howsoever. Or as Pharaoh, who sat not down under the miracle Moses wrought, but sent for the magicians. How many are there in this day, who, after conviction, get the bit between their teeth, like unruly horses, and run away!
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They know not the ways thereof] A carnal heart is not willing to know what it should do, lest it should do what it would not do. Of such Bernard saith, that they seek straws to put out their own eyes with, Festucam quaerunt ut oculos eruant. If they seek after God’s ways, it is but as a coward seeketh after his enemy, with a hope he shall not find him. So he is loth to find, and fears to know, therefore be searcheth no further than will serve his turn, and the little light he hath he putteth not under a bushel, but under a dunghill. Woe be to these rebels, these solifugae that refuse, or abuse, gospel light! Turks and Pagans shall have an easier judgment. It had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, saith Peter, than after they have known it, &c., 2Pe 2:21. Gravis est lux conscientiae, Serious is the light of conscience, saith Seneca; but gravior est lux Evangelii, more serious is the light of the gospel, say we; if this light be hated by any, it is merely because it stands in the light of their wicked ways, as the angel did in Balaam’s way to his sin.
Nor abide in the paths thereof] They have no stability nor settledness in well doing. They follow not on to know, Hos 6:3, but soon give over the pursuit and practice of holiness; not caring to "add to faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge," &c., 2Pe 1:5.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain This is added as the general character of the…
This is added as the general character of the persons before mentioned, and as a great aggravation of their wickedness, that they were not modest sinners, which were ashamed of their evil ways, and therefore sinned in the dark, and in secret, as some who here follow; but sinned impudently in the face of the sun, and in spite of all their light, as well the light of reason and conscience, which abhors and condemns their wicked actions, as the light of Divine revelation, which was then in good measure imparted to the church and people of God in this time, and shortly after was committed to writing; all which they set at defiance, sinning with manifest contempt of God, and of men, and of their own consciences.
They know not; either,
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1. They do not desire or care to know them; they are willingly ignorant of them. Or,
2. They do not approve, nor love, nor choose them; as knowing frequently signifies in the Scripture use.
The ways thereof, i.e. of the light, or in such ways and courses as are agreeable to the light. Or, in his ways, i.e. in the ways of God, who is oft understood in this book where he is not expressed.
Nor abide in the paths thereof; if they do some good actions, yet they do not persevere in well-doing, they are not constant and fixed in a good course of life.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain These verses describe another sort of sinners who therefore…
These verses describe another sort of sinners who therefore go unpunished, because they go undiscovered. They rebel against the light, Job 24:13. Some understand it figuratively: they sin against the light of nature, the light of God's law, and that of their own consciences; they profess to know God, but they rebel against the knowledge they have of him, and will not be guided and governed, commanded and controlled, by it. Others understand it literally: they have the day-light and choose the night as the most advantageous season for their wickedness. Sinful works are therefore called works of darkness, because he that does evil hates the light (Joh 3:20), knows not the ways thereof, that is, keeps out of the way of it, or, if he happen to be seen, abides not where he thinks he is known. So that he here describes the worst of sinners, - those that sin wilfully, and against the convictions of their own consciences, whereby they add rebellion to their sin, - those that sin deliberately, and with a great deal of plot and contrivance, using a thousand arts to conceal their villanies, fondly imagining that, if they can but hide them from the eye of men, they are safe, but forgetting that there is no darkness or shadow of death in which the workers of iniquity can hide themselves from God's eye, Job 34:22. In this paragraph Job specifies three sorts of sinners that shun the light: - 1. Murderers, Job 24:14. They rise with the light, as soon as ever the day breaks, to kill the poor travellers that are up early and abroad about their business, going to market with a little money or goods; and though it is so little that they are really to be called poor and needy, who with much ado get a sorry livelihood by their marketings, yet, to get it, the murderer will both take his neighbour's life and venture his own, will rather play at such small game than not play at all; nay, he kills for killing sake, thirsting more for blood than for booty. See what care and pains wicked men take to compass their wicked designs, and let the sight shame us out of our negligence and slothfulness in doing good.
Ut jugulent homines, surgunt de nocte latrones,
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Tuque ut te serves non expergisceris? -
Rogues nightly rise to murder men for pelf;
Will you not rouse you to preserve yourself?
2. Adulterers. The eyes that are full of adultery (Pe2 2:14), the unclean and wanton eyes, wait for the twilight, Job 24:15. The eye of the adulteress did so, Pro 7:9. Adultery hides its head for shame. The sinners themselves, even the most impudent, do what they can to hide their sin: si non caste, tamen caute - if not chastely, yet cautiously; and after all the wretched endeavours of the factors for hell to take away the reproach of it, it is and ever will be a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret, Eph 5:12. It hides its head also for fear, knowing that jealousy is the rage of a husband, who will not spare in the day of vengeance, Pro 6:24, Pro 6:25. See what pains those take that make provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts of it, pains to compass, and then to conceal, that provision which, after all, will be death and hell at last. Less pains would serve to mortify and crucify the flesh, which would be life and heaven at last. Let the sinner change his heart, and then he needs not disguise his face, but may lift it up without spot. 3. House-breakers, Job 24:16. These mark houses in the day-time, mark the avenues of a house, and on which side they can most easily force their entrance, and then, in the night, dig through them, either to kill, or steal, or commit adultery. The night favours the assault, and makes the defence the more difficult; for the good man of the house knows not what hour the thief will come and therefore is asleep (Luk 12:39) and he and his lie exposed. For this reason our law makes burglary, which is the breaking and entering of a dwelling-house in the night time with a felonious intent, to be felony without benefit of clergy.
And, lastly, Job observes (and perhaps observes it as part of the present, though secret, punishment of such sinners as these) that they are in a continual terror for fear of being discovered (Job 24:17): The morning is to them even as the shadow of death. The light of the day, which is welcome to honest people, is a terror to bad people. They curse the sun, not as the Moors, because it scorches them, but because it discovers them. If one know them, their consciences fly in their faces, and they are ready to become their own accusers; for they are in the terrors of the shadow of death. Shame came in with sin, and everlasting shame is at the end of it. See the misery of sinners - they are exposed to continual frights; and yet see their folly - they are afraid of coming under the eye of men, but have no dread of God's eye, which is always upon them: they are not afraid of doing that which yet they are so terribly afraid of being known to do.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain They are of those that rebel against the light,....…
They are of those that rebel against the light,.... The light of nature, acting contrary to the dictates of their own consciences, in being guilty of the inhumanity, barbarity, and cruelty they were chargeable with in the above instances; or the light of the law, as the Targum; though as yet the law of the ten commandments was not in being; or however was not known to these persons; or against God himself, who is light, and in him no darkness at all, is clothed with it, and is the Father of lights unto his creatures, the Light of lights, and the Light of the world, from whom all light, natural, spiritual, and eternal, springs, Jo1 1:5; which is the sense of most of the Jewish commentators (s); and every sin is a rebellion against God, and betrays the enmity of the carnal mind to him, is an act of hostility against him, and shows men to be enemies in their minds to him:
they know not the ways thereof; the ways of light, but prefer the ways of darkness to them; or the ways of God, the ways of his commandments, which he has prescribed for men, and directed them to walk in; these they know not, are wilfully ignorant of, desire not the knowledge of them, and will be at no pains to get any acquaintance with them; or they approve not of them, they are not pleasing to them, and they choose not to walk in them:
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nor abide in the paths thereof; if at any time they are got into the paths of light, truth, and righteousness, or in the ways of God's commandments, and do a few good actions, they do not continue therein, but quickly go out of the way again, leave the paths of righteousness to walk in the ways of darkness, Pro 2:13. Some interpreters understand these words entirely of natural light, and of men who are like owls and bats that flee from the light, who are authors of the works of darkness, and do what they do in the dark secretly, and hate the light, and do not choose to come unto it, that their deeds may not be reproved; and so now Job enters upon the account of another set of men different from the former, who did what they did openly, in the face of the sun, and before all men; but these he is now about to describe are such who commit iniquity secretly and privately, and instances in the murderer adulterer, and thief, in Job 24:14.
(s) Aben Ezra, Ben Gersom, Sephorno, Bar Tzemach.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Light - As well the light of reason and…
Light - As well the light of reason and conscience, as the light of Divine Revelation, which was then in good measure imparted to the people of God, and shortly after committed to writing. Know not - They do not approve, nor love, or chuse them.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 13. They - rebel against the light] Speaking…
Verse 13. They - rebel against the light] Speaking of wicked men. They rebel against the light of God in their consciences, and his light in his word. They are tyrants in grain, and care neither for God nor the poor. They know not the ways thereof - they will not learn their duty to God or man. Nor abide in the paths thereof - if brought at any time to a better mind, they speedily relapse; and are steady only in cruelty and mischief. This is the character of the oppressors of suffering humanity, and of sinners audacious and hardened.
This whole verse Mr. Good translates in the following manner: -
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They are indignant of the light;
They respect not its progress;
And will not return to its paths.
They hate good; they regard not its operation; they go out of the way of righteousness, and refuse to return.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Job 24:13. Those that rebel against the light —…
Job 24:13. Those that rebel against the light — Who sin impudently, in the face of the sun, and obstinately, in spite of all their light, as well the light of reason and conscience, which abhors and condemns their wicked actions, as the light of divine revelation, which was then, in good measure, imparted to the people of God, and shortly after committed to writing; all which they set at defiance, sinning with manifest contempt of God, and of men, and of their own consciences. They know not the ways thereof —
That is, of the light, or such ways and courses as are agreeable to the light; they do not approve, love, or choose them. Nor abide in the paths thereof — If they begin to walk in those paths: and do some good actions, yet they do not persevere in well-doing: they are not constant and fixed in a good course of life.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain They are of those that rebel against the light…
They are of those that rebel against the light - That is, they hate the light: compare Joh 3:20. It is unpleasant to them, and they perform their deeds in the night. Job here commences a reference to another class of wicked persons - those who perform their deeds in the darkness of the night; and he shows that the same thing is true of them as of those who commit crimes in open day, that God does not interpose directly to punish them. They are suffered to live in prosperity. This should be rendered, “Others hate the light;” or, “There are those also who are rebellious against the light.” There is great force in the declaration, that those who perform deeds of wickedness in the night are “rebels” against the light of day.
They know not the ways thereof - They do not see it. They work in the night.
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Nor abide in the paths thereof - In the paths that the light makes. They seek out paths on which the light does not shine.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain Light of reason and humanity. (Calmet) --- Pineda understands…
Light of reason and humanity. (Calmet) --- Pineda understands that they have sought darkness, (ver. 14.) to do evil. But this expression would be too harsh. (Calmet) --- Heretics, acting against their own conscience, are stricken with blindness, so that they see not the truth. (St. Gregory xvi. 26.) (Worthington)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain So far as to openly committed sins; now, those…
So far as to openly committed sins; now, those done in the dark. Translate: "There are those among them (the wicked) who rebel," &c.
light--both literal and figurative (Joh 3:19-20; Pro 2:13).
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paths thereof--places where the light shines.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain Second half — GROSSEST MALEFACTORS AGAINST THE LIGHT AND…
Second half — GROSSEST MALEFACTORS AGAINST THE LIGHT AND AGAINST GOD, — WHOM ON ACCOUNT OF THE SECRECY OF THEIR CRIMES HEAVEN ALONE CAN PUNISH — EVEN THESE ESCAPE FROM ALL EARTHLY RETRIBUTION, BY AN OPPORTUNE DEATH, Job_24:13-25.
First strophe — Blackest miscreants rebel against the light and burrow in the night, defying the God who professedly sees in secret, while they say, “No eye shall see me,” 13-17.
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13. Those that rebel against the light — Job now introduces another class of evildoers, the workers in the dark — murderers, thieves, adulterers. He has thus far spoken of the lawless who practice evil in the broad daylight, and those, too, whom law, “as yet unmitigated by the Mosaic code,” may have seemed to shield, such as usurers, tyrants, and rich, heartless employers. He will now speak of greater monsters, those who “have become rebels against the light,” and who undermine all institutions, human and divine. The light of the day is a fit emblem of a higher and purer essence shining within the soul of man. All sin begins in rebellion against the light. Its very essence is hatred of the light. Joh_3:20. The ways of light it eschews, and its paths it abhors, until the soul, perverted and stunted, becomes one with the darkness. Man makes for himself the moral world wherein he shall dwell. And this, a sky of light or of darkness, has its reflex influences upon the soul. Under these it becomes a child of light, (1Th_5:5,) and eventually light itself, (Eph_5:8,) or it becomes a “child of the night.” and is in like manner transformed into darkness. Eph_5:8.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 13. They are of those] Rather, these are of…
13. They are of those] Rather, these are of them that rebel. The speaker introduces a new class of malefactors. The “light” here is of course the light of day, with the implication, however, that he that is righteous “cometh to the light.”
13–17. The outrages perpetrated by a different class of wrongdoers, the murderer (Job_24:14), the adulterer (Job_24:15), and the robber (Job_24:16). Those described in former verses pursued their violent course openly, they had law or at least custom on their side, and their cruelties did no more than illustrate the rights of property; those now mentioned are “rebels against the light” and operate under cover of the darkness.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (13) They are of those that rebel against the…
(13) They are of those that rebel against the light.—A very remarkable expression, which seems to anticipate the teaching of St. John (Job_1:9, &c.).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain They are of those who rebel against the light.…
They are of those who rebel against the light. These city oppressors go beyond the others in entirely rejecting the light of reason, conscience, and law. They threw off every restraint. The "light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" is nothing to them. They know not the ways thereof. They will not know, will not have anything to do with, the law of moral restraint much less will they abide in the paths thereof; i.e. acknowledge and be guided by such restraints continually. On the contrary.
Vers. 13-25. Job to Eliphaz: 5. Ancient rebels against the light.
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I THEIR BLACK CHARACTER.
1. They are hostile to the light. The light alluded to is the light of day. The wicked persons spoken of regard that light with aversion, as being unfavourable to the special forms of ungodliness they delight to practise. Distinguished from the previously mentioned sinners who transact their nefarious deeds openly and unblushingly beneath the clear firmament of heaven, these night-birds may be taken, in their general characteristics at least, as representatives of those evil-doers whom Christ designates (Joh_3:20) haters of the light. Light is a frequent biblical symbol for Divine truth, (Pro_6:23 Psa_119:105 Isa_2:5) and in particular for the gospel. (Mat_4:16 Luk_2:32Jo Luk_12:36 Eph_5:8) Hence the unbelieving and therefore unconverted wicked heart naturally looks upon the light of God"s Law and of Christ"s gospel with repugnance, (Rom_8:7) and for the same reason, that the light condemns their works.
2. They know not the ways of the light. They have no familiarity with such modes of living as men practise in open day. The ordinary avocations of law-abiding citizens possess for them no interest and yield to them no enjoyment; in which respect again they fitly typify ungodly men in general, who neither know nor care for the ways of holiness and truth. The way of the wicked is a way of darkness, (Pro_4:19 Rom_13:12) of unbelief, (Heb_3:12) of disobedience, (Rom_8:7) of folly, (Pro_12:15) of sorrow, (Pro_13:15) a way that is displeasing to God, (Pro_15:9) and that leadeth unto death. (Mat_7:13 Rom_6:23) The way of truth, (Psa_119:30) of understanding, (Isa_40:14) of holiness, (Isa_35:8) of peace, (Isa_59:8 Rom_3:17) of life, (Mat_7:14) they do not keep, love, or know.
3. They shun the paths of the light. They remove themselves and their nefarious practices as far as possible from the light, lest they should be seen of men. Even so evil workers come not to the light lest their deeds should be reproved. (Joh_3:20) Honest men fear not to stand in the sun. Nor do children of the light require to wrap themselves in cloaks of darkness. But because God"s light (of the Law and the gospel) has a singular power of discovering men"s wickedness to themselves and others, (Eph_5:13) the children of darkness avoid the light.
II THEIR DARK DEEDS. The poet sketches portraits of three of these ancient rebels against the light.
1. The murderer; whose villainies are described by a threefold characteristic.
(1) The time of their perpetration the dawn," i.e. just before the breaking forth of the morning light, or while it is yet dark, that hour being selected for
(a) its adaptation to the works about to be performed, works of darkness, (Rom_13:12) such as robbery and murder, which cannot bear the light, and
(b) the facilities it affords for finding subjects on which to operate.
(2) The victims of their perpetration poor and needy," who by reason of penury are obliged at that early hour to be afoot, probably on the road to their daily tasks. Murder, in itself an atrocious crime, is immensely aggravated when, for the petty spoil which can thereby be obtained, it is committed against the indigent and feeble.
(3) The manner of their perpetration by sudden ambush. "At dawn the manslayer riseth up," i.e. out of his concealment, "and killeth the poor and the needy;" another aggravation of his wickedness. The language may also indicate the alacrity and earnestness with which this son of darkness, this child of the devil, sets about his unhallowed work; in which respect his conduct may administer rebuke to the children of light.
2. The adulterer; who also is possessed of the infernal sagacity to select the season most appropriate, and the manner most effective, for accomplishing his diabolic purpose. Not at early dawn, but with the falling of the evening twilight, he sallies forth towards his neighbour"s harem, saying, "No eye shall see me;" to render detection impossible, putting a mask upon his face, forgetting that masks hide from men, but not from God, who can see as well in darkness as in light. But most criminals and sinners omit to reckon with the invisible Spectator of their abominations. Notoriously so did Cain, (Gen_4:10) David, (2Sa_11:4) Ananias and Sapphira. (Act_5:2) Yet, again, from even a teacher so unworthy as this violator of marriage sanctities, God"s people may derive a lesson to transact their deeds of light with wisdom and efficiency.
3. The burglar; who, already referred to as the highwayman of the morning dawn (ver. 14), is reintroduced as the midnight housebreaker who, with pick and spade (the modern thief using crowbar and chisel, skeleton keys, etc.), digs beneath the mud walls of rich men"s abodes, marked by him during day (vers. 16, 17). The more probable translation, however, sets forth the housebreaker"s horror of the light: "In the daytime they shut themselves up," because "they know not," i.e. hate, "the light:" and "to them together the morning is as the shadow of death," i.e. through fear of discovery; "for they are acquainted with," and therefore are greatly afraid of, "the terrors of the shadow of death.
III THEIR TERRESTRIAL REWARDS. The treatment of neither of the two classes described in the present chapter is strictly retributive.
1. The fate of the petty criminals; i.e. of the murderer, the adulterer, the thief, and all included in the category of rebels against the light. According to Eliphaz, these creatures of the darkness should be overtaken with calamities proportioned to their crimes; but, according to Job, the contrary is the case they are
(1) prosperous in life, gliding down the stream and current of time like a light skiff (ver. 18), experiencing no curse upon their heritages while they live; and
(2) honoured in death, by being vouchsafed
(a) a quick and easy disappearance from the earth, like the passing away of a light substance upon the face of the waters, (cf. Job_9:26) instead of struggling towards the grave through protracted and painful suffering, or like the melting of snow before the scorching heats of summer (ver. 19), going down into Sheol suddenly as in a moment; (Job_21:13) and
(b) a complete escape from the just penalties of their crimes, the curse not descending upon their heritages until they themselves have departed from the scene (ver. 18), and though forgotten by the very mothers that bore them because of their wickedness, yet not compelled to eat the bitter fruits of their transgression, since by death their iniquity has been broken off like a tree, i.e. before it has had time to yield its appropriate results.
2. The fate of the rapacious despots; i.e. of those sketched in the preceding section (vers. 2-12), who are here identified as the oppressors of barren and widowed women (ver. 21). They, too, should be arrested by visible judgments; but altogether different, according to Job, is their lot.
(1) They are preserved alive by that very hand which should rather slay them (ver. 22). So were God to deal with any sinners on earth according to their iniquities they would instantly be cut down. (Psa_130:3) But God magnifies his grace and evinces his long-suffering towards sinful men by upholding in existence those who bid defiance to every danger, and even to God himself, who are not only insensible to all Divine impulses, but flagrant violators of all Divine laws.
(2) They are raised up from sickness at the moment when they seem to be about to die (ver. 22). The mercy God"s singer guarantees to the humble saint that considereth the poor, (Psa_41:1) and Christ"s servant promises to the believing Christian, (Jam_5:15) is extended to the poor man"s oppressor, and the supreme God"s denier another marvel of grace!
(3) They are kept in security instead of living in constant terror (ver. 23). Were God not to moderate the fears of good men, much more therefore of bad men, their lives would be intolerable. But God"s special providence watches over villains as well as over virtuous people, keeping both from danger, fear, and death, hoping thereby to lead the former to repentance, and seeking to induce the latter to confide in his grace.
(4) They are exalted for a season in conscious prosperity instead of being humbled and cast down (ver. 24) an additional proof of God"s kindness towards them. And
(5) when the end comes they only share in the common lot, being taken out of the way like all other men.
Learn:
1. The unnatural wickedness of those who despise God"s mercies even his common gifts of providence, but much more his grandest gift of grace.
2. It is an unmistakable evidence of depravity when a man loves the darkness rather than the light.
3. The present-day forms of wickedness are of extreme antiquity, some of them, such as murder, being nearly as old as the Fall.
4. The soul that hates the light has the seed-corn in his heart out of which the greatest crimes may be developed.
5. The truest security a man can have that he shall never perpetrate such wickedness as murder, adultery, etc., is to walk in the light.
6. The destruction of the most powerful sinner that walks the earth is a work of perfect ease to God.
7. A man"s triumph or superiority over his fellows terminates with the grave.
8. That wickedness must be great which causes a mother to forget her child.
9. That mercy must be great which continues when human love in its highest form is exhausted.
10. Death may seem to remove the curse from the sinner, but in reality it only conducts the sinner to the curse.
11. God"s goodness and mercy may follow a sinner to the grave"s mouth; there is no evidence that it can pursue him further.
12. It is appointed unto all men once to die.
Vers. 13-25. Pictures of secret end unpunished evil-doers.
I THE MURDERER AND THE ADULTERER. (Vers. 13-17.) A class of the wicked different from the foregoing is now placed before us; rebels, revolters against the light, who refuse to know anything of the ways of light, and to abide in its paths. These are the "children of darkness," so emphatically contrasted in the New Testament with the "children of light". (Rom_13:12 Eph_5:8 1Th_5:5) Before the morning breaks, the murderer rises, to strike down the poor and needy, and at night he carries on the trade of the thief. The adulterer waits for the dusk, and veils his face. (Pro_7:9) In the darkness houses are broken into by men who have shut themselves up during the day men who have no affinity with the light, as the description repeats (ver. 16). To these malefactors the dense darkness is their morning; for then, when others sleep from daily toil, their vile work and trade begin, "because they know the terrors of the gloomy darkness" (ver. 17), being as. familiar with them as others are with the bright daytime. The joyous consciousness, the cheerful spirits of the children of the light, are contrasted with the fear, the anxiety, the incessant terrors of the children of darkness. Conscience, that makes cowards of all, will not suffer the most hardened to escape. "Certain dregs of conscience" will remain even in the most imbruted; the murderer will start at the shadow of a falling leaf. When the light that is within a man has become darkness, the very blessed day itself is turned to night. In their revolt from God, the eternal Light, they carry about night in their bosom, and all their terrors are present to them in the brightness of the day. (Mat_6:23Jo Mat_11:10)
II JUDGMENT ON THESE EVIL-DOERS; ITS CERTAINTY. (Vers. 18-21) They pass away swiftly as upon some gliding flood. (Job_9:26 Hos_10:7) His portion in the land being cursed either by men or by God, or by both the wicked man no more bends his steps to his vineyard and his other beloved possessions. Then a powerful comparison as dryness and heat carry away the short snows of winter, so the sinner evaporates as it were into hell. (Psa_49:14 Psa_21:9) Forgotten by a mother"s womb! Deserted even of the most tenacious affections the human heart can know, worms make a dainty repast upon his flesh. He is like a blasted tree upon the heath, or a felled trunk in the forest. (Job_19:10 Ecc_11:3 Dan_4:10) For he was rotten at the core; the heart of kindly affections was eaten away; he had plundered the childless and dealt cruelly with the widow.
III JUDGMENT, THOUGH CERTAIN, IS DELAYED. (Vers. 22-24) "God maintains the tyrant for a long time by his power," does not execute judgment at once. (Isa_13:22 Psa_36:11 Psa_85:6) Although the oppressor is sometimes in despair of life, yet he rises up and flourishes again. God grants him safety, and he is supported, and God"s eyes are upon his ways to protect and to bless. But it is for a little while only that this recovery and this security last then they vanish. (Gen_5:24) Oppressors are bowed down, perish, pass away like ears of corn. Conclusion of Job"s address. "If it should not be so, who will punish me for lies, and make my speech as nought?" It is a triumphant expression of his superiority, maintained in these lessons of experience on the incomparable dealings of God in the destinies of men. Because sin seems unpunished, it is not forgotten. Retribution is certain, though it may be delayed. The "treacherous calm" is more to be dreaded than the "tempests overhead." The greater the forbearance and the long-suffering shown by God towards the wicked, the more severe their punishment in the end. J.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Rebel against the light.
Job_24:13
Rebel against the light.
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Light used figuratively
Light may be considered in two ways. Either properly or figuratively.
1. We may understand the text of light in a proper sense, and some insist chiefly on that. They rebel against the very light of the sun, or the ordinary daylight. Wicked men love darkness; they hate even natural light, the light of the sun, because it seldom serves, but often hinders, their occasions.
2. Take light figuratively for the light of knowledge. So it is more true that wicked men rebel against it. The light rebelled against is rather an internal light, that light which shines into the soul, than that which shines to the eye; and there is a two-fold internal light, against which wicked men may be said to rebel.
(1) The light of nature, or natural internal light; there is a light of the natural conscience, which every man carrieth about him, concerning good and evil, or what is to be done and what is to be left undone.
(2) There is a light of Divine revelation, which shines into the soul from the Scriptures or written Word of God. Divine truths inspired and dictated by the Spirit of God are there written as with the beams of the sun. Yet the wicked man rebels against the clearest and fullest discoveries of the mind of God.
3. Some understand by the light here, God Himself, who is light. The very reason why the light of nature and the light of reason are rebelled against, is because the former hath somewhat of God in it, and the latter much of God in it. For as God is light, so all light is of God. (Joseph Caryl.)
Rebelling against the light
These evidently had the light, and this should be esteemed as no small privilege, since to wander on the dark mountains is a terrible curse. Yet this privilege may turn into an occasion of evil. Most of us have received light in several forms, such as instruction, conscience, reason, revelation, experience, the Holy Spirit. The degree of light differs, but we have each received some measure thereof. Light has a sovereignty in it, so that to resist it is to rebel against it. God has given it to be a display of Himself, for God is light; and He has clothed it with a measure of His majesty and power of judgment. Rebellion against light has in it a high degree of sin. It might be virtue to rebel against darkness, but what shall be said of those who withstand the light? resisting truth, holiness, and knowledge?
I. Detect the rebels. Well-instructed persons, who have been accustomed to teach others, and yet turn aside to evil; these are grievous traitors. Children of Christian parents who sin against their early training; upon whom prayer and entreaty, precept and example are thrown away. Hearers of the Word, who quench convictions deliberately, frequently, and with violence. Men with keen moral sense, who rush on, despite the reins of conscience which should restrain them. Lewd professors who, nevertheless, talk orthodoxy and condemn others, thereby assuredly pronouncing their own doom.
II. Describe the forms of this rebellion. Some refuse light, being unwilling to know more than would be convenient; therefore they deny themselves time for thought, absent themselves from sermons, neglect godly reading, shun pious company, avoid reproof, etc. Others scoff and fight against it, calling light darkness, and darkness light, Infidelity, ribaldry, persecution, and such like, become their resort and shelter. Persons run contrary to it in their lives; of set purpose, or through wilful carelessness. Walking away from the light is rebelling against it. Setting up your own wishes in opposition to the laws of morality and holiness, is open revolt against the light. Many presume upon their possession of light, imagining that knowledge and orthodox belief will save them. Many darken it for others, hindering its operations among men, hiding their own light under a bushel, ridiculing the efforts of others, etc. All darkness is a rebellion against light. Let us have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness.
III. Denounce the punishment of this rebellion. To have the light removed. To lose eyes to see it even when present. To remain unforgiven, as culprits blindfolded for death, as those do who resist the light of the Holy Spirit. To sin with tenfold guilt, with awful wilfulness of heart. To descend forever into that darkness which increases in blackness throughout eternity.
IV. Declare the folly of this rebellion. Light is our best friend, and it is wisdom to obey it; to resist it is to rebel against our own interest. Light triumphs still. Owls hoot, but the moon shines. Opposition to truth and righteousness is useless; it may even promote that which it aims to prevent. Light would lead to more light. Consent to it, for it will be beneficial to your own soul. Light would lead to heaven, which is the centre of light. Light even here would give peace, comfort, rest, holiness, and communion with God. Let us not rebel against light, but yield to its lead; yea, leap forward to follow its blessed track. Let us become the allies of light, and spread it. It is a noble thing to live as light bearers of the Lord and Giver of Light. Let us walk in the light, as God is in the light; and so our personal enjoyment will support our life work. Light must be our life if our life is to be light. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Hatred of the light
The devil fears the light, and this is one reason why we should keep it always burning. A governor of the Bahamas, who was about to return to England, promised to do his best to procure from the Home Government any favour the Colonists might desire. And what think you was their unanimous reply: Tell them to tear down the lighthouses--they are ruining the Colony. The men were wreckers, and they hated the light! And the devil so hates the light that he would tear down every spiritual lighthouse in the land if he only could. (Sunday Circle.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
Job continues speaking.
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rebel against the light
Possible meanings of "light" are 1) visible light or 2) spiritual light, which refers to God or living righteously. AT: "hate the daylight" or "do not want to do things openly" or "rebel against God" (See: Metaphor)
they know not its ways, nor do they stay in its paths
These two lines describe the same thing, and are used together to emphasize that they do not want to follow the ways of the light. AT: "they do not know how to live a moral life; they stay far away from living a righteous life" (See: Metaphor and Parallelism)
poor and needy people
The words "poor" and "needy" refer to the same group of people and emphasize that these are people who are unable to help themselves. (See: Doublet)
he is like a thief
The murderer kills in secret just like a thief steals without anyone seeing what he does. AT: "he kills people secretly, just like a thief steals secretly" (See: Simile)
translationWords
rebel
light
know
raise
thief
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.