Proverbs 6:23
For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light; And reproofs for discipline are the way of life
This proverb is a reminder to us about how to survive in life and how to find our way. It is important to see the "parrelellism" in this proverb. The first line and the second line are not saying the same thing. So, this is not a synonymous parrelellism. The second line further explains and developes the first line, so this is what is referred to as synthetic parrelellism. (For more on parrelellism scroll to the bottom of this page where four types of Hebrew parrelellism is described.) The second line here is telling us that our life journey (the road "way" is actually a Hebrew word that pictures a "road" or a "journey on a road") is one where we will encounter "reproofs for discipline" or perhaps another way to state it; we are all going to experience difficulties in our life that can produce correction and wisdom. However, the only way that is going to work is if we look at the content of the fist line; God's Word is a light that reveals the meanings and purpose of the reproofs and corrections. God gave us His Word so that we can use it as a light when the darkness of life troubles us and is there to prefect us and refine us. His commandments are those lights we need to see the meaning behind the dark reproofs of life.
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