Into the Night

Into the Night, Oil on canvas over panel, 27” x 48”, 2007
From the Series - Resonance and Relevance, a collection of paintings referencing Biblical stories, themes, and scripture

I arrived at Into the Night after reading Proverbs 7, a Biblical scripture which tells the story of a young man who allowed himself to be seduced by an adulterous woman, an action that ended in his own demise. In this passage the seductive woman is symbolic of any sinful temptation. In the case of the young man, his battle was with lust. The scripture depicts the basic anatomy of temptation which begins with a desire that consumes the mind and makes us vulnerable. With weakened defenses we are more likely to yield to the lure and become ensnared. James 1:14-15 says, “Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death”.

Although no one is exempt from temptation, people typically know when they are doing something wrong and think they can stop it before it spirals out of control. Unfortunately they usually continue dabbling in it until they are totally consumed and destroyed by it. As the old saying goes, if you play with fire, you will eventually get burned. It’s important to really know yourself, learn to recognize temptation and know how to overcome it. The spiritual battle with temptation is much greater than a human can overcome alone. Personally, I know I can’t avoid temptation without the help of God. It is a daily process that includes surrendering to God and resisting the devil. James 4:7 says, "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you".

In the painting, a young man is walking down a deserted alleyway. With his shadow lurking beside him as his only companion and accomplice, he moves away from the light and makes his way into the night to commit his sin under the cloak of darkness.

The story is found in Proverbs 7:6-27: For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice and saw among the simple. I perceived among the youths, a young man devoid of understanding, passing along the street near her corner; and he took the path to her house. In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night. And there a woman met him, with the attire of a harlot and a crafty heart. She was loud and rebellious, her feet would not stay at home. At times she was outside, at times in the open square, lurking at every corner. So she caught him and kissed him; with an impudent face she said to him: "I have peace offerings with me; today I have paid my vows. So I came out to meet you, diligently to seek your face, and I have found you. I have spread my bed with tapestry, colored coverings of Egyptian linen. I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; let us delight ourselves with love. For my husband is not at home; he has gone on a long journey; he has taken a bag of money with him, and will come home on the appointed day." With her enticing speech she caused him to yield, with her flattering lips she seduced him. Immediately he went after her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks, till an arrow struck his liver. As a bird hastens to the snare, he did not know it would cost his life. Now therefore, listen to me, my children; pay attention to the words of my mouth: do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths; for she has cast down many wounded, And all who were slain by her were strong men. Her house is the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death.