Audio Download

“God divided the light from the darkness”

(Pro 28:12-16)

[Study Aired April 30, 2026]

Many of the proverbs in God’s word have contrasting light and dark statements that act like contrasting colours in the natural world. The natural things do reveal spiritual truths as we read in (Rom 1:20). One can find webpages with examples of contrasting colours at work. For example, the effect of orange appearing more orange, and blue more vibrantly blue when they are set beside each other.

Rom 1:20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

Complementary colors – Wikipedia

The same principle is true with many of the proverbs that relay the positive and negative example of some particular subject in scripture to make both sides of the coin brighter in our heavens. God works continually through contrast that are both the same to him as we go from glory to glory (2Co 3:18) at the hand of the Master Potter who is dragging us to Christ (Joh 6:44), working out this process within us both to will and to do of God’s good pleasure (Isa 45:7 , Psa 139:12 , Php 2:12-13). God does not do the evil, but he does facilitate such an evil experience at the hands of those who are being humbled in this life, which in time will be everyone (Eph 1:11 , Ecc 1:13).

Ecc 1:11 There is no remembrance of former generations, And also for those who shall come after us, A remembrance of them shall not continue With those who shall come afterward.”
Ecc 1:12 I myself, the Assembler, came to be king over Israel in Jerusalem.”
Ecc 1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens:it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it. (CLV)

The old man and the new man within us are needful for the workmanship of His hands to be brought to see more clearly through this contrast that we are guilty of all, and chief of sinners, or as David was inspired to say, just as Saul of Tarsus did in their own words “you [Tony] are the man” (2Sa 12:7 , 1Ti 1:15). The only thing that is acceptable to God in us is Christ (Eph 1:6) who is the new creation (2Co 5:17).

Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Christ is being formed within His body the church today (Col 1:24), and that’s why Paul was rejoicing because he was blessed to endure all that suffering he was going through in his day with the people of God, via the much tribulation (2Co 11:23-30), that must be a part of our lives if we are going to be in that blessed and holy first resurrection (Act 14:22 , Php 1:29 , 2Ti 2:12).

Pro 28:12  When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.

Pro 28:12 When the righteous are glad there is great felicity everywhere, Yet when the wicked rise humanity must lie low.”[CLV]

Pro 28:12  When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; But when the wicked rise, men hide themselves. [ASV]

Christ is our righteousness and if we are granted to endure to the end of this life to be those saviours that come up on Mount Zion (Oba 1:21) there will be great rejoicing from the saints at that time. In (Job 38:4-7) we read a typical statement of the great rejoicing of the morning stars that sang together. What they were rejoicing over is found in the context of the words which are typical of the body of Christ who are also measured and supported upon “the corner stone thereof” which represents Christ (Eph 2:20 , 1Pe 2:6). Again Paul was rejoicing as we rejoice knowing that Christ is being formed within the church (Col 1:24).

Job 38:4  Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Job 38:5  Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it?
Job 38:6  Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;
Job 38:7  When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Col 1:24  Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you,(Heb 11:26) and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

The wicked have risen in the lives of God’s elect and are being destroyed by the brightness of Christ’s coming within (2Th 2:2-8). Now we are hidden in the Lord, being judged first (1Pe 4:17), as God’s workmanship that is hidden from the world (1Co 2:7 , 1Pe 3:4).

1Co 2:7  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

1Pe 3:4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Outwardly evil men and seducers are waxing worse and worse at the end of this age (2Ti 3:13) and that is also a typical statement that Christ made reminding us that the outward wars and rumours of wars and breakdown of society (Mar 13:7 , 2Ti 3:1-9) are types and shadows of what has come to be realized is within us and needs to be destroyed by Christ. This is the first and perhaps most obvious contrasting proverb we’re looking at, where we learn that it is within us that light will come out of darkness as the Lord mercifully judges us and leads us unto repentance in this age (Tit 2:12-13 , Heb 12:6). This concept stems back to our title where the first use of the word light and darkness are used in the bible in (Gen 1:4), revealing the means by which God would work with His workmanship until the very end when He is all in all, and there is no more darkness (1Co 12:6 , 1Co 15:28 , Eph 1:23)

1Co 12:6  And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

1Co 15:28  And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.

Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

What must be destroyed by the brightness of His coming into our heavens:

2Ti 3:1  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Ti 3:6  For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
2Ti 3:7  Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
2Ti 3:8  Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
2Ti 3:9  But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.

Pro 28:13  He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Covering our sins is the same as despising God’s goodness that leads us unto repentance “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper” (Rom 2:4). We will not prosper spiritually with such a hardened heart, and therefore this section of the proverb is contrasted with the miracle that must occur in our lives as God give the increase by softening our hearts and making them contrite and broken (Isa 66:2 , Psa 51:17). It it with that heart alone that we can confess our faults from our heart and be shown mercy from our heavenly Father “but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy“. Again we see contrast here that is simply showing God’s elect that no one comes out of Egypt which typifies the bondage of sin except by the strong hand of our Lord, the fit man who takes us through our wilderness experience of evil (Joh 8:32-36 , Lev 16:21).

Rom 2:4  Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Psa 51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper:

Joh 8:31  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
Joh 8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 8:33  They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?
Joh 8:34  Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

“but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy“

Joh 8:35  And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
Joh 8:36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Pro 28:14  Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.

If we are as He is in this life (1Jn 4:17) then we are going to be blessed to have this Godly fear working within us so that we may be heard, in that we fear God as Christ did in the days of his flesh (Heb 5:7 , Eph 5:30).

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

If we don’t continue to hear him (Joh 8:31 , Mat 24:13) are hearts will be hardened, and this is the litmus test as to who it is that has God’s spirit within them or not (1Jn 4:3-6).

1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Without Christ’s spirit working within us it is impossible to not have our hearts hardened as the love of many will wax cold because of iniquity abounding at the end of this age (Mat 24:12-13), due to the fact that God is not saving everyone in this age but a few who have been blessed to have their eyes and ears opened, and kept open, in order to hear Christ’s parables that reveal the kingdom of God within us (Mat 22:14 , Luk 17:21). The obvious contrast here is that you will either be given a heart that fears God until the end of this age, or  you won’t, saying my Lord delays his coming (Mat 24:48-50)!

Mat 24:12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.
Mat 24:13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Mat 22:14  For many are called, but few are chosen.

Pro 28:15  As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

There is no direct contrast with this proverb that is simply showing us in type and shadow how wicked Satan is, who is likened unto “a roaring lion” or a “ranging bear“. The “wicked ruler” is the god of this world (2Co 4:3-4) who has kept the world in spiritual poverty from the garden of Eden “a wicked ruler over the poor people“.

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

He is like a “roaring lion” that wanders around, roaming, and searching and seeking who can destroy, all according to the counsel of God’s own will (Eph 1:11). He is likened unto a “roaring lion” seeking whom he may destroy (1Pe 5:6-8), which is why we must always be on our guard, ever vigilant (2Co 2:10-11). The positive use of a lion is the Lion of the tribe of Judah who is destroying all the false doctrines within us, giving us victory over the lies of the devil. The positive use of a bear in scripture is also in connection with the destruction of false doctrines that are in this story being likened unto children that were destroyed by a bear (2Ki 2:24)

1Pe 5:6  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
1Pe 5:7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
1Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2Co 2:10  To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; [“Humble yourselves“]
2Co 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

2Ki 2:24  And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

Pro 28:16  The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.

When we are wanting and lacking in understanding we can feel oppressed and be oppressive due to the lack of good judgment, wisdom, and insight, that are all qualities that God is forming within the body of Christ. “The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor“.(1Co 10:11 , 1Ki 12:1-14).

1Ki 12:8  But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him:
1Ki 12:9  And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
1Ki 12:10  And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
1Ki 12:11  And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
1Ki 12:12  So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
1Ki 12:13  And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
1Ki 12:14  And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.

We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2Pe 3:18). Solomon in the positive view of his life typifies Christ, and his son and those who He put in charge are a good example of someone lacking understanding, reflecting this covetous me first attitude that has been dominating so many rulers throughout the ages “but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days “.

Next week will continue to look at how God is dividing the light from darkness within us, and how this process is being revealed in His word, and in particular via the proverbs we are studying.