This author said that God the Father has given them love. Thus, we really are the children of God. The world does not know us because they did not know God. Our final destiny has not yet been revealed. What we know is that we will be like him because we will see him as he is. We hope and purify ourselves, just as God is pure. Do you believe that you are a child of God?
the children of God
Pillar of fire for the holy ones (Wis 18:1-18:4)
“But for your holy ones
There was very great light.
Their enemies heard their voices.
But they did not see their forms.
They counted them happy
For not having suffered.
They were thankful
That your holy ones,
Though previously wronged,
Were doing them no injury.
They begged their pardon
For having been at variance with them.
Therefore you provided a flaming pillar of fire.
This was a guide for your people’s unknown journey.
This was also a harmless sun
For their glorious wandering.
Their enemies deserved to be deprived of light.
They deserved to be imprisoned in darkness.
They had kept your children imprisoned,
Through whom the imperishable light of the law
Was to be given to the world.”
The pillar of fire (πυριφλεγῆ στῦλον) can be found in Exodus, chapter 13. Here it seems like the Egyptians repented when they were in darkness. The Israelites were heard but not seen. The Egyptians, continually named as the enemies, were happy that these Israelites were going to leave them alone. After all, they had wronged them. Thus they asked for forgiveness and pardon for their deeds. God then provided the pillar of fire to help the Israelites on their wanderings. The enemies deserved their darkness (σκότει). They had imprisoned the children of God through whom the light of the world in the form of the law (νόμου φῶς) would be given to the world. There was this persistent theme of light and darkness. Israel was in the light. Egypt was in darkness.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 