412. Light and Darkness as Emblems
Narrator:
Chris Genthree
Duration:
2min
• 1 min. read • grade level: 8
To the susceptible mind of the Oriental, light is an object of desire, and darkness something to be greatly dreaded. The lamp is usually kept burning in the house all night; and its light is used as an emblem of prosperity, and the extinguishment of it as an emblem of a great calamity. Thus Job speaks of the days of his prosperity when the candle of the Lord shone upon his head (Job 29:33When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness; (Job 29:3)). David says, “Thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness” (Psa. 18:2828For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. (Psalm 18:28)). On the other hand, we find Job saying, as expressive of great affliction: “How oft is the candle of the wicked put out” (Job 21:1717How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger. (Job 21:17)). Solomon says, “Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness” (Prov. 20:2020Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. (Proverbs 20:20)). “The candle of the wicked shall be put out” (Prov. 24:2020For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out. (Proverbs 24:20)).