Walk as Children of Light

The same lesson runs through these readings: true wisdom fears God, receives His order, and walks accordingly. David’s last words honor the ruler who governs justly in the fear of God; Job strips proud men of their boast that wisdom belongs to them; the apostle commands the saints to live as light and not to share in the works of darkness. Thus the mouth that speaks lofty things is proved by the life that obeys.

Job teaches that God overturns the confidence of the clever. Men mock the upright, and yet their skill cannot preserve them. Their breath is in God’s hand; beasts and birds, earth and sea all testify that the Lord rules. Therefore let no man trust in rank, learning, or sharp speech. As Justin says, “and I shall take away the wisdom of their wise men, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent men.’ ”

David desired the well of Bethlehem, and Methodius sees in it “that reservoir of life which David longed for, out of which the draught of immortality gushed forth;” But this life is not for the careless. Paul joins Christ’s self-offering to our manner of living: no uncleanness, no filthy speech, no greed, no fellowship with disobedience. Light exposes what darkness would excuse.

So let the household be rightly ordered, the tongue restrained, the body kept pure, and companionship chosen with fear of God. Cyprian warns, “be not therefore partakers with them. Ephesians 5:6-7 Therefore let no one associate himself with the contumacious, and those who do not fear God, and those who entirely with draw from the Church.” If we would drink the water of life, we must not walk in the mire.