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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 (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