Isaiah 50:11 - Man's Flicker Or God's Flame?

Isa.50:11; Man's Flicker Or God's Flame?

Isa 50:11 (KJV)  Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass 
yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the 
sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall 
lie down in sorrow. 

Isa 50:11 (CWR)  But you want to light your own fire and provide 
your own light.  Go ahead, walk in the light of your own doing, in 
the light of the torches you have lit.  Just remember you will 
suffer the consequences of your doings. 

Isa 50:11 (TLB)  But see here, you who live in your own light 
and warm yourselves from your own fires and not from God's; you will 
live among sorrows. 

Sparks -- not a steady light, but blazing sparks extinguished in 
a moment. (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary) 

The self-reliant, who try to illumine the darkness by their own 
light, will only know the torment of eternal fire. [Ryrie SB] 

The pious who are in darkness wait patiently for the light which 
Yahweh shall kindle for them But not so with the wicked. They attempt 
to kindle a light for themselves, and to walk in that. (Barnes' 
Notes) 

People can trust Jesus and find their light in Him, or they must 
walk in their own fire and find torment. [Passages Of Life SB] 

There is ever the danger that those who profess to serve the 
Lord may forsake the heavenly pathway for ways of their own devising. 
In place of light from heaven they turn to light of their own. Like 
Nadab and Abihu, they offer "strange fire" before the Lord. [SDA 
Commentary] 

Presuming sinners are warned not to trust in themselves. Their 
own merit and sufficiency are light and heat to them. 
Creature-comforts are as sparks, short-lived, and soon gone; yet 
the children of 
 this world, while they last, seek to warm themselves by them, and 
walk with pride and pleasure in the light of them. Those that make 
the world their comfort, and their own righteousness their 
confidence, will certainly meet with bitterness in the end. [Matthew Henry 
Commentary] 

He (Noah) did not walk in sparks of his own kindling. He 
obtained all his discernment, all his power, all his strength, from the 
source of all light; for he held communion with God. It was because he 
had faith in God, because he was a man of prayer, that he was a man 
of power. He kindled his taper at the divine altar, that he might 
be a light to the world. ST 04-18-95 

Daniel did not walk in sparks of his own kindling, but made the 
Lord his wisdom. Divine philosophy was made the foundation of his 
education. He welcomed the counsel of the Lord. Would that all students 
were as was Daniel; but many do not see the importance of submitting 
to divine discipline. FE193-5 

Reverence your faith, speaking reverently of sacred things. 
Never allow one expression of lightness and trifling to escape your 
lips when quoting Scripture. As you take the Bible in your hands, 
remember that you are on holy ground. Angels are around you, and could 
your eyes be opened, you would behold them. Let your conduct be such 
that you will leave the impression upon every soul with whom you 
associate that a pure and holy atmosphere surrounds you. One vain word, 
one trifling laugh, may balance a soul in the wrong direction. 
Terrible are the consequences of not having a constant connection with 
God. FE193-5 

Actions make habits, and habits, character, and if we do not 
guard our habits, we shall not be qualified to unite with heavenly 
agencies in the work of salvation, nor be prepared to enter the heavenly 
mansions that Jesus has gone to prepare; for no one will be there except 
those who have surrendered their will and way to God's will and way. 
He whose character is proved, who has stood the test of trial, who 
is a partaker of the divine nature, will be among those whom Christ 
pronounces blessed. FE193-5