Proverbs 13:9 Commentary and Bible Study

The illustration is of a person on a journey. By a man’s light he sees the path before him, enabling him to find the way and plant each step firmly on the ground. He looks out for familiar landmarks and enjoys the beauty of the scenery around him, while avoiding falls and dangers. Light is used as a figure for truth and knowledge of the kingdom of heaven which comes only from the Lord. The light of the righteous is said to rejoice because it leads them into a place where there is only cause for rejoicing. How greatly they will rejoice when they see that enemies that once threatened to destroy them in hell have been overcome and can never hurt them again. Furthermore, that victory has brought them into a place where there is everlasting happiness, and opportunity for the never-ending exploration of the glory of the infinite God, who is given to them. This is their reward in heaven, though a reward which they do not strictly deserve but which is given to them by grace. All good things come to the believer through the Lord Jesus Christ and his merits alone. The verb is future because in this life our greatest good lies beyond this world, an inheritance stored up for us by the Lord. But the wicked must consider that all the good things that belong to them in this life shall be taken from them. They are given to them only for a time and cannot be treated as a token of God’s favour. He gives in spite of their sin, but their continued failure to repent in spite of his giving will only add to their guilt. Their lamp will be extinguished in the day when all that they rejoice in and all that they hope for is taken away. Their expectation will perish in that day for ever.