God’s Wisdom as Light
God’s wisdom – depicted as light (Genesis 1:3) – has come into creation which is depicted as a Cosmic Temple (Genesis 1). Light and darkness are metaphors which refer to God’s wisdom and the absence of God’s wisdom, respectively, as they do in Psalm 119:130, Isaiah 9:2, and John 1:1-5.
In Psalm 119:130, we see that God’s words of wisdom are associated with light:
“The unfolding of your words gives light;
it gives understanding to the simple.”
Similarly, in Isaiah 9:2, light is associated with the revelation of God’s wisdom and darkness is associated with the absence of God’s wisdom (earthly wisdom):
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
Why is light such a fitting metaphor for wisdom?
In the light, we can see where we’re going.
In the light, we can see for greater distances all around us.
In the dark, we can stumble and fall.
In the dark, we can get lost or hurt.
In the same way, sharing God’s wisdom makes it easier for people to journey through life:
God’s wisdom gives people light to see where they can walk safely.
God’s wisdom helps people avoid mistakes.
Not knowing God’s wisdom leaves people confused about how to live best.
Walking in darkness (foolishness) causes people hardship and pain.
It should be noticed that Scripture’s use of light and darkness is not referring to a materialistic understanding of visible light on the electromagnetic spectrum. The people in Isaiah’s time had the sun and the moon to provide light. That was not the “darkness” this Scripture is referring to — rather it is referring to the spiritual darkness people have when they lack the wisdom of God.
This understanding is paralleled in John 1:1-5:
“In the beginning was the Word (logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”
The passage describes the coming of Jesus Christ who is depicted here as the eternal Word (logos) of God, referring to the thoughts, message, and wisdom of our Father in Heaven. This wisdom of God is associated with Light which leads human beings to Life in God. And the last verse shows that the darkness of earthly wisdom does not comprehend the heavenly wisdom of God. Throughout Scripture — as well as Genesis — “light” refers to the heavenly wisdom of God and “darkness” represents the foolishness of earthly wisdom.
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