People Prefer Lamps Over Candles

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

 

This proverb is a bit confusing until you realize the two halves cannot be separated.  Note there is the light of the righteous and the lamp of the wicked.  The lamp is giving light but is put out.  The light of the righteous is rejoicing.  So, what is going on here?  Commentators somewhat agree on the overall principle but disagree on the more specific application.  The controversy surrounds the definition of light and to whom this light appears to rejoice.  So, I will put my spin on it.  What I believe the king is trying to show his children is the light of the righteous will rejoice those who are affected by it while the light, or the lamp, of the wicked, will be rejected.  In other words, the light (or joy) which the life of the righteous will bring to others keeps is burning while the quality of life which the wicked bring only causes those affected by it to reject that quality of life.

Many of us have lost power in our homes.  In such a time, we scramble for flashlights.  If the power stays off for too long, we light candles or oil lamps.  At first, this lesser light is charming.  It is better than no light at all.  Many years ago, in the state and region where I lived, we had an ice storm.  The result of that ice storm was thirteen days without power.  We fled to my in-laws who had a log cabin in the woods.  They have a wood-burning stove.  We were able to take sponge baths, heat as well as cook by the stove, and we lit candles as the sun dipped below the mountains.  It was a bit rustic, but we were no worse for the wear.  Our sons thought it was awesome.  No baths for a week.  They could play out in the woods as long as they wanted.  BB guns, four-wheelers, and playing in the dirt and mud were regular events.  It was like we were on a week-long camping trip.  There were candles everywhere.  The flickering of the flame cast a warm shadow on the walls and ceiling.  As we drifted off to sleep, it was the light cast by the open flame of the wood-burning stove that led us into slumber.  Not a bad life.  But something happened.  The power came back on.  We were never happier to trade the candles for a light switch.  Incandescent bulbs over wax.  We traveled back home and flipped on the switch.  WE HAD POWER!  The brightness of the light was far superior to the dimness of the candle.  We rejoiced at the light of the lamp over the flicker of the flame.

This is the meaning here.  The benefit of the wicked to the people around them is far inferior to the benefit of the righteous.  We may have to endure the lamp of the wicked.  But if we had a choice, we would prefer the light of the righteous.  Solomon is trying to show his children that if they are to have an impact on others and be a blessing to them, a righteous life is far superior to a wicked one.  In fact, one could go even further and apply it to the source of illumination.  If the light bearer wishes to have company, righteousness is always superior to wickedness.  If I am a wicked person and people have a choice to keep company with me or someone who walks in righteousness, I do believe I would be a very lonely person.  Our lives and actions determine in large part how great a company we keep.  The more we walk with God, the greater the company.  The less we walk with God, the less our company.  If we desire others to be a blessing to us, then we must give them a reason to rejoice.  That would be by our righteousness.