Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
To darken counsel is to speak words without knowledge that cloud understanding of God's counsel instead of giving sound guidance. The setting among the questions of Job 38 shows human wisdom to be limited, for many mysteries of God in nature lie beyond finite grasp. Those mysteries are not given for people to solve but to turn attention to the depth of God and call for faith, so that people may keep searching and learning while there always remains more beyond comprehension. The same darkening occurs when theology is made up of human speculation and dressed in learned terms, seeking intellectual prestige rather than truth that feeds mind and soul. Such learned speculation obscures rather than teaches when it fails to give food for mind and soul. The scribes and Pharisees did this by misinterpreting and distorting the words of Christ, and thereby turned people away from the path of life and righteousness. The same is true of a person who through prejudice makes confident but uninformed claims, misleading others and opposing those united in keeping God's commandments and holding the testimony of Jesus. Truth is also obscured by excess of words, for when a speaker adds at length to what has already been clearly said the extra words weaken rather than strengthen the impression and leave the matter less clear. Divine counsel is clouded when those seeking to know duty commit explanation to others and ask fellow human beings to tell them what to do, instead of seeking wisdom and understanding duty through personal communion with God and His own light and guidance. Those who would labor with God must hold direct communion with Him, ask His guidance in everything undertaken, and seek wisdom from Him by coming in consecrated and humble faith so that He speaks His mysteries to them personally. Then hearts burn within as Christ draws near to commune as He did with Enoch, so that instead of words without knowledge they receive Christ who is the true light that lights every person.
To darken counsel is to speak words without knowledge that cloud understanding of God's counsel instead of giving sound guidance. The setting among the questions of Job 38 shows human wisdom to be limited, for many mysteries of God in nature lie beyond finite grasp. Those mysteries are not given for people to solve but to turn attention to the depth of God and call for faith, so that people may keep searching and learning while there always remains more beyond comprehension. The same darkening occurs when theology is made up of human speculation and dressed in learned terms, seeking intellectual prestige rather than truth that feeds mind and soul. Such learned speculation obscures rather than teaches when it fails to give food for mind and soul. The scribes and Pharisees did this by misinterpreting and distorting the words of Christ, and thereby turned people away from the path of life and righteousness. The same is true of a person who through prejudice makes confident but uninformed claims, misleading others and opposing those united in keeping God's commandments and holding the testimony of Jesus. Truth is also obscured by excess of words, for when a speaker adds at length to what has already been clearly said the extra words weaken rather than strengthen the impression and leave the matter less clear. Divine counsel is clouded when those seeking to know duty commit explanation to others and ask fellow human beings to tell them what to do, instead of seeking wisdom and understanding duty through personal communion with God and His own light and guidance. Those who would labor with God must hold direct communion with Him, ask His guidance in everything undertaken, and seek wisdom from Him by coming in consecrated and humble faith so that He speaks His mysteries to them personally. Then hearts burn within as Christ draws near to commune as He did with Enoch, so that instead of words without knowledge they receive Christ who is the true light that lights every person.