Walking by Firelight

Isaiah 50:11 (NAS): Behold, all you who kindle a fire, 
Who encircle yourselves with firebrands,

Walk in the light of your fire

And among the brands you have set ablaze…

When you look at Scripture, it's best to look carefully, otherwise you may miss the meaning.  At first glance, I thought Isaiah was complementing those who build a fire and advising them to remain in it's light.  If you read further, however, you can see I had missed the true meaning.

…This you will have from My hand:

You will lie down in torment.

Rather than an encouragement this was a warning.  Those who create their own light and who walk according to that light are misguided.  There seems to be a tremendous difference between artificial light and natural light.

Throughout Scripture we are admonished to come to the light, and walk in the light.  So what is wrong with these people who walk by the firelight they had built for themselves?

This passage is the last verse of Isaiah 50, often considered a Messianic passage.  Verses 4-7 are clearly referencing the future Messiah.  Over 700 years before Christ, Isaiah was inspired by the Holy Spirit to describe in detail certain aspects of The Suffering Servant.  You will recognize Jesus in these references:

Isaiah 50:4–7 (NAS): The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples,

That I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word.

He awakens Me morning by morning,

He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

 5 The Lord God has opened My ear;

And I was not disobedient

Nor did I turn back.

 6 I gave My back to those who strike Me,

And My cheeks to those who pluck out the beard;

I did not cover My face from humiliation and spitting.

 7 For the Lord God helps Me,

Therefore, I am not disgraced;

Therefore, I have set My face like flint,

And I know that I will not be ashamed.

Throughout the book of Isaiah, we see the imagery of light representing the coming Messiah.

Isa 9:2 (NAS) The people who walk in darkness

         Will see a great light;

         Those who live in a dark land,

         The light will shine on them.

Isaiah in chapter 50 is comparing those who come to the true light with those who seek to create their own light.

John 8:12 (NAS): Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”

We are repeatedly told to come to the true light- Jesus- and to walk in that light- walk with Jesus.  If we are not walking with Jesus, then we are walking in darkness.  It's as clear as that.

1 John 1:5–7 (NAS): This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.

 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;

 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Isaiah 50:11 is pointing out the curious reality that people often seek to create  their own light rather than live by God's light.  Certainly this is something we all want to avoid.  Here are some suggestions:

Come to Jesus and follow Him.  Beware of those who seek to redefine WHO Jesus is.  He is God the Son, co-equal to God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.  He came to earth, was born of a virgin, and lived a sinless life.  He was 100% God and 100% Man. He suffered and died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.  He physically rose from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God.  Any attempt to distort these basic facts about the Lord Jesus Christ is not truth but is sheer deception.  Jesus is the truth and the way to all truth.  Anyone who denies Him denies the truth.

John 14:6 (NAS) Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Trust the Bible.  God's holy inspired Word is truth and leads us to truth.

2 Ti 3:16-17 (NAS)      All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Biblical truth is a light to our path.

Psalm 119: 105 (NAS)      Your word is a lamp to my feet. And a light to my path.

Any so-called light that contradicts the Bible is not light at all.  New ideas and theories of life and death should be carefully compared to what the Bible teaches.  Also, no one verse should be pulled out of context and left to stand on it's own.  Biblical principals should be carefully tested against one another.  This practice helps prevent heresy.

Don't live in a "closed system" of truth.  Isaiah 50:11 portrays a group of people who cluster around the campfire they have made for themselves and live by it's light.  Groups of people often get stuck in what is often called "group think".  Even though their light is quite dim and their truths are distorted, they all agree.  They are like "sheep without a shepherd".  Since they all agree they conclude they must be right.  This dynamic explains what has happened in history when certain groups gain power and conduct unbelievable atrocities. They somehow do it in the name of truth.  This also explains the rise of certain cults and false religions.  When our criteria for what is true is solely found within our own little group, watch out!

What about you? 

• Are you strongly connected to the Lord Jesus and following Him. 
• Are you careful to live your life in accordance with His teachings and example?
• Are you consistently reading and studying the Word of God?  Are you comparing Scripture to Scripture to ensure sound doctrine?
• Are you in too much of a "closed system"?  Are you open to ideas different from your own? Are the Christians you fellowship with regularly open to new concepts that may test their own?