Kindle a Fire

An Orientalism:
A Custom or Mannerism in the Bible Times

Read Time: 2 Minutes

 Isaiah 50
:11 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.

Bishop K. C. Pillai explains what it is to compass yourselves about with sparks.

Farmers get up before dawn in the East and kindle a fire to warm themselves. When they are ready to head out to the fields it is still dark so they take a heavy rope and put the end of it into the fire. When it begins to glow they blow on it and it emits sparks. Those sparks are enough to light the path ahead. They light the path so they don't step on any scorpions or snakes with their bare feet.

God is saying Isaiah 50:11 that those who walk in their own light will fail. Now, let us read the verse prior to it with that verse.

 Isaiah 50
:10  Who is among you that feareth the LORD,
    that obeyeth the voice of his servant,
    that walketh in darkness, and hath no light?
    let him trust in the name of the LORD,
    and stay upon his God.
:11 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.

 "[T]rust in the name of the Lord and stay upon his God." Otherwise if you who walk in the light of your own fire you will have trouble,

Proverbs 3
:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart;
    and lean not unto thine own understanding.
:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him,
    and he shall direct thy paths.

Take God at His Word.