F rom the advantages which a Jewwas given [v. 17- 18], he claims a superiority in knowledge above all others. He was “confident” of himself, meaning he was persuaded of and promoted himself as “a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes” [v. 19-20]. This self-confidence hoisted him to a pedestal from which he looked down on the rest with condescension and contempt. Paul describes the Jew (religious person) as a “guide of the blind”. Just as physical blindness prevents a man from seeing the world around him and he needs help to move around, so a spiritually blind person needs a guide to lead him along the path of righteousness. However, the guide must be reliable. Moses gives this warning: “Cursed be he that maketh the blind to wander out of the way” [Deuteronomy 27:18]. Paul’s point is that one who is so confident of his spiritual capability must first assess whether he is a reliable guide. If the guide is just as blind as the one he is leading, “both shall fall into the ditch” [Matthew 15:14]. Paul further describes the religious Jew as “a light of them which are in darkness”. The LORD had set the Jews – the people of the covenant – to be “a light of the Gentiles” [Isaiah 42:6]. The Jews understood that role and responsibility especially after the captivity (in Babylon), when they held up the worship of the true and living God against pagan polytheism in their midst. That said, light is best when it shines brightly. Our Lord Jesus warns: “If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness” [Matthew 6:23]. A dim and flickering light is of hardly any good to those who are seeking truth.
LESSON
And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them which are in darkness.
In a world of darkness, light is most essential to making your way through life. Be a light that shines brightly for our Lord Jesus Christ [Matthew 5:16].
THOUGHT
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