That is, spiritual darkness (see on ch. 9:2). Men have ever tended to love “darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). The world is dark with a misunderstanding of God and His love. Evil men cannot comprehend good in others. They fail to recognize the light of heaven when it shines upon them (John 1:5, 10, 11).

It is the reflected light of God’s glory that is to “be seen” upon God’s people. When men seek honor for themselves they eclipse the glory of God. When they are willing to efface self and to let God have first place in their hearts and in their lives His glory can be seen in them. For the way in which the glory of God was to have been seen on ancient Israel see pp. 27-30.