He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.
He sets an end to darkness in the work of miners who push through darkness to search the earth for its hidden riches, finding iron and copper and silver and gold, cutting channels among the rocks and holding back streams. This skill and effort of man in earthly things is set against his ignorance of the place of wisdom, which cannot be found in the sea nor bought with gold and precious metals nor equaled by any wealth of the world. God understands the way of wisdom, yet He brings it within reach of man, and His children learn it as the fear of the Lord and departure from evil, as turning from evil and walking in the fear of Him.
The miner penetrating darkness and bringing hidden things to light pictures thorough searching for hidden truth, for divine truth is like a mine holding rich golden ore beneath the surface. Human intellect can be measured and human books can be mastered, but God is infinite beyond all that can be comprehended, and only a glimmering of divine glory and of the infinitude of knowledge and wisdom has yet been seen. Work so far has been only on the surface of the mine, and the shaft must be sunk deeper and yet deeper to gain glorious treasure.
Digging in this mine is done through correct faith by searching the Scriptures in the Spirit of Christ, by becoming willing to be instructed as a little child, by submitting wholly to Christ, and by obeying. The one who digs in this way will be rewarded, and divine knowledge will become human knowledge. By exploring the mines of truth men are ennobled, the heavenly world opens its treasures of grace and glory, and the plan of God's government is understood. The mystery of redemption, the incarnation of Christ, and His atoning sacrifice become better understood and more highly appreciated instead of remaining vague.
He sets an end to darkness in the work of miners who push through darkness to search the earth for its hidden riches, finding iron and copper and silver and gold, cutting channels among the rocks and holding back streams. This skill and effort of man in earthly things is set against his ignorance of the place of wisdom, which cannot be found in the sea nor bought with gold and precious metals nor equaled by any wealth of the world. God understands the way of wisdom, yet He brings it within reach of man, and His children learn it as the fear of the Lord and departure from evil, as turning from evil and walking in the fear of Him.
The miner penetrating darkness and bringing hidden things to light pictures thorough searching for hidden truth, for divine truth is like a mine holding rich golden ore beneath the surface. Human intellect can be measured and human books can be mastered, but God is infinite beyond all that can be comprehended, and only a glimmering of divine glory and of the infinitude of knowledge and wisdom has yet been seen. Work so far has been only on the surface of the mine, and the shaft must be sunk deeper and yet deeper to gain glorious treasure.
Digging in this mine is done through correct faith by searching the Scriptures in the Spirit of Christ, by becoming willing to be instructed as a little child, by submitting wholly to Christ, and by obeying. The one who digs in this way will be rewarded, and divine knowledge will become human knowledge. By exploring the mines of truth men are ennobled, the heavenly world opens its treasures of grace and glory, and the plan of God's government is understood. The mystery of redemption, the incarnation of Christ, and His atoning sacrifice become better understood and more highly appreciated instead of remaining vague.