Shadows

by Norman P. Spotts, D.D.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me” (Psalm 23:4).

There are at least eighty references in the Bible to shadows—an unusual subject, but intended by the Holy Spirit for our edification. Shadows teach us about: The shortness of life: “Our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding” (I Chronicles 29:15); “My days are like a shadow that declineth; and I am withered like grass” (Psalm 102:11); “I am gone like the shadow when it declineth” (Psalm 109:23). The certainty of death: There are eighteen references in the Bible to the shadow of death. “Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death” (Job 10:21). We are encouraged to “seek Him that . . . turneth the shadow of death into the morning” (Amos 5:8). The assurance of God’s protection: “Hide me under the shadow of thy wings” (Psalm 17:8); “In the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge” (Psalm 57:1); “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1); “I sat down under His shadow with great delight, and His fruit was sweet to my taste” (Song of Solomon 2:3). The Lord’s presence goes with us as we “walk through the valley of the shadow of death.” Places of false protection: “Woe to the rebellious children: . . . that walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion” (Isaiah 30:1–3). The immutability of God: God does not change. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17). NPS

This article was originally published December, 1992. "Shadows", Institute for Creation Research, https://www.icr.org/article/19715/ (accessed April 18, 2024).