DARK SAYINGS IN THE BIBLE
Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. (Job 38:1-3)
After looking at a number of words that are not archaic but are rather simple words which are still commonly in used today, we have seen the “scholars” giving their expert opinions and they have made unnecessary changes to these words where there is absolutely no ground to do so whatsoever. This has resulted in making the Scriptures contradicting each other in many places and at times, some of their verses do not even make sense at all! The spiritual insights of these “scholars” are so shallow that they have made themselves a laughing stock as Bible translators and spiritual giants of faith. Their godliness and integrity that were supposedly beyond reproach turned out to be a fraud when they deliberately made changes to the Bible when those verses expose their infidelity in the pure and inspired words of the living God.
As such, they have no idea on how God gives His words to His people and their main objectives are to replace as many words from the Authorized King James Bible as possible to show that they are indeed “scholars” that are capable of judging what are God’s words and what are not. So when the Lord revealed His attitude concerning revelation of His words in Numbers 12:8, they scramble to change “dark speeches” to “riddles.” Let us take a look at this verse.
With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? (AV)
With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” (NIV)
The Lord told the children of Israel that He will not speak to Moses in dark speeches but He does speak in dark speeches to others. The “scholars” think that dark speeches are really too obscured and the common men cannot figure out what are dark speeches so they changed it to riddles instead. These “experts” are telling us that the Lord speaks in riddles as to make His people guess what He is saying and at the end they will get a reward if they can give the right answer. Are they implying that the translators of the Authorized Version did not know what they were doing when they translated “dark speeches” instead of “riddles”? Are they saying that the translators of the Authorized Version did not know when to translate the word “riddle”? In fact the word “riddle” has been used eight times in the book of Judges when Samson gave the Philistines a riddle to guess concerning the honey found in the carcass of a lion and he even promised them a reward for the right answer.
The word “riddle” is also used one more time in Ezekiel 17:2, Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel. When a riddle is given, an answer is solicited which is given in Ezekiel 17:12, Say now to the rebellious house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon. So what do you think the translators of the NIV will do in this case? They change the riddle into an allegory. What is the problem with the word “riddle” this time? Is it because it is archaic? Or is it because it is inaccurate? Does the translators of the Authorized Version know what is an allegory? Of course they do. This word is mention in Galatians 4:24, Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. Certainly the word “allegory” cannot be an archaic word this time as the NIV is also using it but lo and behold, it must be replaced too! The NIV says it should be “figuratively” and allegory has suddenly become archaic. We can see that the objective of these “scholars” is to replace as many words from the Authorized Version as possible when there is actually no need to do so.
It is obvious that the “scholars” cannot understand dark speeches which are ideally meant for them who have lifted themselves above the words of the living God. They are very nervous whenever they see dark speeches and dark saying or sayings appearing in the pages of the Holy Bible. Therefore, they must be changed with immediate effect, as they do not want to be kept in the dark. Let us take a look what they do when they are not given the wisdom to understand God’s pure and holy words in the Authorized Version.
Psalm 49:4
I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp. (AV)
I will turn my ear to a proverb; with the harp I will expound my riddle: (NIV)
So dark saying is changed to a riddle. We thought a riddle is given out for others to guess! Why is a riddle being expounded? Since when a parable is a proverb! Infidelity is a very contagious disease!
Psalm 78:2
I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old: (AV)
I will utter hidden things, things from of old – (NIV)
The “scholars” just simply cannot stand dark sayings. They want to be kept in the loop but they do not have a sound heart and a pure mind to be worthy recipients to understand dark sayings. So it is better to drop dark sayings because it would be too embarrassing for them when they cannot tell what dark sayings are all about.
Proverbs 1:6
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. (AV)
For understanding proverbs and parables, the savings and riddles of the wise. (NIV)
Dark sayings are out and riddles are fine. Riddles are the “in-things” these days. Let us tease one another with riddles and see who is smarter! Apparently, these Bible critics who do not have the light do not understand that what is obscured to some people are as clear as daylight to others. They do not believe that God is very subjective in imparting knowledge and understanding to His people. It depends very much on their spiritual state. Moses tells us that, The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29). God does revealed even secrets to His people but as for Bible critics, they do not hope to be part of this privilege group of people. The prophet Amos also confirmed this truth; Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). Of course the NIV is once again babbling something else, Surely the Sovereign LORD does nothing without revealing his plan to his servants the prophets (NIV). God only reveals plan to them but He reveals His secrets to us. We have a wonderful privilege that these “scholars” do not hope to enjoy.
The Psalmist also said in Psalm 25:14, The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant. It is obvious that the “scholars” are not in the inner circle as far as the secrets of the Lord are concerned and the translators of the NIV is confirming this fact; The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them (NIV). No secrets for these people as they cannot be trusted to handle secrets. They do not fear God and they have been changing God’s words according to their wimps and fancy. They are too childish and immature, spiritually speaking, and so they have to be excluded from this privileged position.
The prophet Daniel informed us that, He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him (Daniel 2:22). Daniel elaborated further in Daniel 2:28 & 29, But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these; As for thee, O king, thy thoughts came into thy mind upon thy bed, what should come to pass hereafter: and he that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. This God who reveals secrets is very selective on the recipients of His secrets. Daniel is one such chosen vessel fit for the master’s use. Do you think these Bible critics qualify to receive secrets from the Lord?
Why then does the Lord speak in dark speeches and give dark sayings? The Psalmist tells us that, He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies (Psalm 18:11). Not only that, when the children of Israel heard the Lord speaking in person as recorded in Deuteronomy 5:23 & 24, And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath showed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth, we are told that they heard His voice out of the midst of darkness. Hence, the Lord speaks to Moses face to face, but with others, dark speeches and dark sayings are the norms that are spoken out of the darkness.
There is absolutely nothing wrong in the English language on “dark speeches” and “dark sayings” as they simply mean the message is obscured, which is intended to be that way. There is no need to change it to riddles and cause the meaning of the word “riddle” to suffer violence. God definitely does not speak in riddles to cause His people guess the intents of the original writers in the divine originals when they wrote! It is just a classical use of the word “dark” as an adjective to modify the noun of a word in the normal usage of the language. The word “dark” is also used in Daniel 8:23, And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up. This shows that during the end time there will be this king that can understand things that are not understood by the common men. Of course, the “scholars” will find this intriguing and the words “dark sentences” must be changed to something else; “In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise (NIV).
But the Lord does not always speak in dark speeches and use dark sayings. This is made clear in Matthew 13:10 & 11, And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. The reason why the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven is not given to some people is found in Mark 4:10-12, And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. These are the people who have heard and seen what the Lord has done and yet they have rejected Him. The Lord has clearly promised to preserved His inspired words that transient languages for every generation and these Bible critics have rejected this promise and do you reckon they can understand dark speeches and dark sayings? However, the Lord is ever merciful and kind to His people and for those who seek after Him and trust in Him, He will reveal to them His words for the Lord has said, I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right (Isaiah 45:19). Dark speeches and dark sayings are as clear as daylight to a Bible believer but for the Bible critics, they will continue to remain in the dark fooling each other with riddles.
This article is taken from a chapter in the book “Hold Fast The Form Of Sound Words” which may be downloaded via: