The Moon: Not Like the Day!
Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712
Image Title: The Moon: Not Like the Day!
Scripture Reference:
- Revelation 21 (further images / scripture text)
Description: Two fishermen are in a boat on a lake in the light of the full moon. One points to the moon, while the other regards the moon’s reflection on the water. The Dutch artist and poet Jan Luiken (1649-1712) was responsible for drawing this emblem and composed the poem that accompanies it. The etching was executed by Jan Luiken or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708), who had used this image in an earlier work, which may be found in the Digital Image Archive under the call number 1699Weig. The attendant scripture text is Revelation 21:23.
Motto: Also Heed The Light of the Night
Poem:
Though the Moon shines ever so bright,
It is however so pale and dismal,
When compared to the light of the Sun:
Although useful, according to its measure,
But when looking at a higher degree,
Then it must yield much to the other.
One sees also by Moonlight,
Clearly that there are things,
Yet overcast with a shadow:
But the Sunlight, with full strength,
Undresses it all, from the cloak of the night,
And places things clear for the eyes:
So we consider this time of life,
Beside life in Eternity:
We see ourselves, and the things that
In the light of the eyes, and Reason,
On the right and the left hand,
Received status through God’s Wisdom:
But yet we regard it all,
As if by the dim-light of the Moon,
So that we easily stray in our judgment:
We do not clearly see what it is,
But on the surface and by guess,
As the truly perfect remains hidden from us.
But if the light of the Sun and the Moon,
And the earthly eye shall go down
In the rise of the Light of Lights,
Then one shall see, as if by day,
What lay in the being of the Creator,
That is now dim in our sight.
There will no longer be dusk,
As God is himself the clear light,
And the cover is wholly removed:
His wonders are then bare and clear,
And exist for public joy,
For true understanding and clear eyes.
(Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker)
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