◄ Proverbs 24:20 ►
For the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.
Study Bible
For the evil man
The Hebrew word for "evil" here is "רָשָׁע" (rasha), which denotes someone who is morally wrong, guilty, or wicked. In the context of Proverbs, the "evil man" is one who lives in opposition to God's righteous standards. Historically, the Israelites understood that living in alignment with God's laws was essential for communal and personal prosperity. The "evil man" is thus not just a personal adversary but a societal threat, undermining the fabric of a community built on divine principles.

has no future
The phrase "has no future" is translated from the Hebrew "אַחֲרִית" (acharit), which can mean "end" or "posterity." This suggests that the evil man's life is ultimately futile and without hope. In a conservative Christian perspective, this aligns with the belief in divine justice, where those who reject God's ways will not partake in the eternal life promised to the faithful. The absence of a future is not just temporal but eternal, emphasizing the ultimate consequence of a life lived apart from God.

the lamp of the wicked
The "lamp" in ancient Near Eastern culture often symbolizes life, guidance, and prosperity. The Hebrew word "נֵר" (ner) is used here, which can also mean "light" or "candle." In biblical times, a lamp was essential for navigating the darkness, symbolizing the presence and favor of God. For the "wicked," those who live in defiance of God's commandments, their "lamp" represents their life and influence. The imagery suggests that their guidance and prosperity are temporary and unreliable.

will be extinguished
The phrase "will be extinguished" comes from the Hebrew "יִדְעָךְ" (yidach), meaning to be put out or quenched. This conveys a sense of finality and judgment. In the biblical context, the extinguishing of a lamp signifies the end of life or influence. For the wicked, it is a stark reminder that their actions lead to a definitive end, devoid of the light and life that comes from God. This serves as a warning and a call to repentance, urging individuals to turn from wickedness and seek the enduring light found in a relationship with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Evil Man
Represents individuals who live in opposition to God's commandments, engaging in wickedness and unrighteousness.

2. Wicked
A broader term that encompasses those who consistently choose to live in sin and rebellion against God.

3. Lamp
Symbolizes life, guidance, and prosperity. In biblical times, a lamp was essential for light and direction, especially at night.

4. Extinguished
Indicates the end or cessation of something, in this context, the life or influence of the wicked.
Teaching Points
The Futility of Wickedness
The verse underscores the ultimate futility of living a life contrary to God's will. No matter how prosperous or influential the wicked may seem, their end is certain.

The Importance of Righteous Living
Believers are called to live righteously, knowing that their future is secure in Christ. Unlike the wicked, the righteous have an eternal hope and inheritance.

The Temporary Nature of Earthly Success
Earthly success and prosperity are fleeting for those who do not follow God. True success is found in a life aligned with God's purposes.

God's Justice and Sovereignty
This verse reassures believers of God's justice. The wicked may seem to prosper temporarily, but God will ultimately bring justice.

Encouragement in Trials
For those facing trials or persecution from the wicked, this verse offers encouragement that God sees and will act in His perfect timing.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the ultimate fate of the wicked influence your perspective on current events and societal trends?

2. In what ways can you ensure that your "lamp" remains lit and not extinguished, as described in Matthew 25:1-13?

3. Reflect on a time when you witnessed the temporary nature of earthly success. How did it impact your faith and priorities?

4. How can you find encouragement in God's justice when facing personal trials or witnessing injustice in the world?

5. What practical steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's will, ensuring a secure future in Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 37:38
This verse also speaks about the future of the wicked, emphasizing that they will be destroyed and have no lasting legacy.

Job 18:5-6
These verses describe the light of the wicked being put out, reinforcing the idea that their influence and prosperity are temporary.

Matthew 25:1-13
The Parable of the Ten Virgins uses lamps as a metaphor for readiness and spiritual preparedness, contrasting the wise and the foolish.
Sermons
The Ignobler and the Nobler SpiritE. Johnson Proverbs 24:17, 18, 29
Religion Fortifies the Heart Against EnvyE. Johnson Proverbs 24:19-22
People
Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Candle, Evil, Extinguished, Future, Hope, Lamp, Posterity, Reward, Sinners, Snuffed, Wicked
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 24:19-20

     5916   pessimism

Proverbs 24:19-22

     5890   insecurity

Library
The Sluggard's Garden
'I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.'--PROVERBS xxiv. 30, 31. This picture of the sluggard's garden seems to be intended as a parable. No doubt its direct simple meaning is full of homely wisdom in full accord with the whole tone of the Book of Proverbs; but we shall scarcely do justice to this saying of the wise …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Broken Fence
A sermon (No. 3381) published on Thursday, November 20th 1913. Delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and to, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down, Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. This slothful man did no hurt to his fellow-men: …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

The Sluggard's Farm
A sermon (No. 2027) intended for reading on Lord's Day, June 3rd 1888, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. No doubt Solomon was sometimes glad …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Epistle xxxvi. To Maximus, Bishop of Salona .
To Maximus, Bishop of Salona [113] . Gregory to Maximus, &c. When our common son the presbyter Veteranus came to the Roman city, he found me so weak from the pains of gout as to be quite unable to answer thy Fraternity's letters myself. And indeed with regard to the nation of the Sclaves [114] , from which you are in great danger, I am exceedingly afflicted and disturbed. I am afflicted as suffering already in your suffering: I am disturbed, because they have already begun to enter Italy by way …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

The Portrait of a Drunkyard
'Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34. Yea, thou shalt be as …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

2 Cor. Iii. 5
Not that we are sufficient of our selves, to think any thing as of our selves: but our Sufficiency is of God. IN my former Discourse upon these Words, I shewed you that it was the sole Design of St. Paul in them, to declare, that, in the setting about, and executing, the difficult and laborious Work of an Apostle, He did not arrogate to himself the Power, and Ability, and Success, which he had: but that he ascribed his Sufficiency for this great Work, as well as his being designed to it, to God himself, …
Benjamin Hoadly—Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God

How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out-Breakings Away.
The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

A Treatise on Good Works
I. We ought first to know that there are no good works except those which God has commanded, even as there is no sin except that which God has forbidden. Therefore whoever wishes to know and to do good works needs nothing else than to know God's commandments. Thus Christ says, Matthew xix, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." And when the young man asks Him, Matthew xix, what he shall do that he may inherit eternal life, Christ sets before him naught else but the Ten Commandments. …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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