PROFITING FROM PROVERBS

“The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out” (Proverbs 13:9 KJV).

Did you know that there was a source of light even before the sun was created in Genesis 1? “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3 KJV). It was not until the fourth day of creation that the sun and the moon was placed in the sky. The moon, of course, does not provide light on its own but reflects the light of the sun—much as the church reflects the light of Jesus Christ to the world.

“The light of the righteous rejoiceth,” in the garden of Eden, it is believed that the reason that Adam and Eve did not know they were naked was due to the shekinah presence of light that covered them from head to foot. The “Shekinah” is the English transliteration of a Hebrew word meaning "dwelling" or "settling" and denotes the dwelling or settling of the divine presence of God. When they sinned, that light went out and they hid in the bushes where they fashioned their artificial covering of fig leaves. Thank God that He came to where they were and covered them with the skins of animals. The light speaks of our salvation, the fig leaves speak of human works, while the skins speak of God’s provision for salvation.

That the light rejoices speaks of it burning brightly, cheerfully, as if rejoicing; equal to, they shall have prosperity, or a happy posterity. The meaning is, that of "the righteous" the joy is steadfast, permanent, increasing; while that of the wicked is destined to final and perpetual extinction--leaving him in the blackness of darkness. Of the former "the light rejoiceth,"-or "burns brightly;" shines with growing luster-"more and more unto the perfect day."

“. . . but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out,” the light of a Christian is eternal because it has its foundation on Him Who is light: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12 KJV).

The light of the wicked is like that of a lamp, lesser and not so agreeable, nor will it last; their prosperity is short lived, their joy is but for a moment; the pleasures of sin are but for a season; their candle soon goes out; it is put out in obscure darkness, and they themselves are reserved to blackness of darkness: “Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him” (Job 18:5-6 KJV).

The light of the lost is their life, and it is lit only as long as the body functions. James spoke on this wise when he wrote: “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:14 KJV).

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Corinthians 4:6 KJV).

Father, help us to let our light so shine that the world may see You in us, that the lost will be attracted to that light and desire it for themselves. In Your grace, we ask that You help us to brighten the corner where we are. Amen.

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