Verses in the Dark

via Wikimedia Commons

As I write, the sky outside Temple has just gone black, and we’re hearing our first thunderclaps. Hopefully, this storm will not cause as much damage as last weekend’s—we had no electricity for about two days. What to do? No television, no light for reading—well, there’s always looking up Bible verses on my Blackberry. It went something like this:

     Lo, the storm of the LORD goes forth in fury,
     A whirling storm,
     It shall whirl down upon the heads of the wicked.  
     (Jeremiah 23:19)

Well, I wouldn’t call us wicked, exactly. But I can see why our ancestors would think that. This wind is pretty terrifying.

     Look to the covenant! For the dark places of the land are
     full of the haunts of lawlessness.(Psalms 74:20)

Hey, you! When a traffic light is out, you’re supposed to treat it like a four-way stop. Lawlessness, indeed.

     Darkness is not dark for You;
     night is as light as day;
     darkness and light are the same. (Psalms 139:12)

This verse is about God’s omniscience—even our “dark” secrets are not hidden from God. But at the moment, I am pretty fixated on the literal meaning: It’s nighttime, and I could use some light.

     Who among you reveres the LORD
     And heeds the voice of His servant? —
     Though he walk in darkness
     And have no light,
     Let him trust in the name of the LORD
     And rely upon his God. (Isaiah 50:10)

It’s times like this we realize how much we rely on the utility companies. “Trust in the name of the LORD” is often not our strong suit. But it’s pretty good advice. Note: The “servant” mentioned here is identified in the Christian tradition as Jesus, but Jewish interpreters offer many possibilities (Isaiah himself, King Cyrus of Persia, the Messiah, the People of Israel as a whole, and others).

     You, O LORD, are my lamp;
     The LORD lights up my darkness. (II Samuel 22:29)

Finally, the power is back on! Thank God!

     The people that walked in darkness
     Have seen a brilliant light;
     On those who dwelt in a land of gloom
     Light has dawned. (Isaiah 9:1)

Now we just have to clean out the refrigerator.

We pray that everyone stays safe and cool during this storm and beyond. And if you find yourself stuck with just a phone for entertainment, My Jewish Learning has a great mobile site.