Proverbs 13:9
“The light in God’s children creates a perpetual joy. But the lamp of those who refuse to acknowledge Him is quickly extinguished.”
In this particular proverb there is a noted difference in the meanings of the two key words of this phrase, “the light” and “the lamp”.
The Hebrew word for light used here is a word which means illumination. It is translated by using words such as brightness, day, morning, and sun. How fitting it is also that these words refer to the character of this particular type of light. Their brightness is not just a superficial one. Rather, it is one whose brilliance daily and permanently burns and shines from its inner core to illuminate an entire planet of billions of people.
The spiritual picture that our Creator is painting for us here is one which corresponds with the importance of the inner emotional light of man…one that is a permanent part of his inward character…not a superficial one. The light that the children of God give forth is a light that is of an eternal power source...and shines from the inside out! It shines and shines and shines and shines and shines. It shines when it rains, it shines when it is cloudy, it shines at all times...and even when darkness falls...the light of the God's people is still shining somewhere…just on the other side of the darkness of the problems of this world!
In contrast, however, the Hebrew word in this scripture for lamp is the word “neer”, meaning candle, one whose light is both superficial and limited. From the moment they are lit, they begin to burn down, and eventually burn out. This paints a picture of a source of light whose strength is temporal. Evidently, those who do not know God, and refuse to acknowledge him, and the eternal truths that govern this universe… certainly have a superficial light upon them... but one of which from the moment it is lit begins to wane and fade...and over time eventually dies out.
It is the vanity of the temporal things of this life that make for an unstable foundation upon which some people build their present status and their future hopes. If vanity is the only foundation upon which life is built...unlike the sun which burns with perpetual strength and power...then at its very best...it is just a candle that is burning at both ends, whose flame will be quickly extinguished and forgotten.
It would be wise for us to daily seek God’s light … a light that has the power and endurance to permanently burn inside our very souls. Christ, God’s sign of Mercy… and his Word…which is eternal truth…are the Lights of the World that permanently reside inside the hearts of God’s children. If we will let Him in…He will daily shine through us to bless and illuminate us…and more importantly…the lives of many others around us who may need it most!