Shall not the light of the wicked be extinguished, and the flame of his fire not shine?
גַּ֤ם א֣וֹר רְשָׁעִ֣ים יִדְעָ֑ךְ וְלֹֽא־יִ֝גַּ֗הּ שְׁבִ֣יב אִשּֽׁוֹ׃
3 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Bildad charges the wicked in a general manner, or to substantiate his own remarks, since they are unable to accuse Job of any wrongdoing. Observe their spitefulness. When they assert that severe misfortunes befall the unrighteous, they allude to the very afflictions Job has endured, intertwining his suffering into their discourse, as if to imply their remarks are directed at him specifically. Consider what is expressed regarding both others and Job himself.
Shall not the light of the wicked be extinguished, and the flame of his fire cease to shine? Job 18:5. If this remark pertains to our current existence, he is mistaken; often, the wicked appear to bask in the light of prosperity, while the righteous face the shadows of disgrace and poverty. However, if he speaks of the ultimate fate awaiting the wicked, then he has spoken rightly: Shall not the light of the wicked be extinguished, and the flame of his fire cease to shine? While it may be appropriate to claim this regarding the wicked, it is unjust to apply such words to a righteous individual enduring hardship. Yet, let us consider the might of his arguments and demonstrate how sharply he can cast his assertions. He asserts, Shall not the light of the wicked be extinguished?
Indeed, the wicked possess their 'light,' which represents their earthly happiness. But 'the light of the wicked shall fade away,' for the joys of this present life are fleeting and will vanish with life itself. Hence, he added: and the flame of his fire shall cease to shine.
For each wicked person holds ‘the flame of his fire,’ ignited by the heat of transient desires, as they burn in their lusts and are consumed by the fervent praises of the world. However, if the fire lacks a flame, it fails to illuminate and offers no light. Thus, the flame signifies the outward allure or power obtained through self-destructive behavior. In their passionate pursuit of desires, they often acquire what they seek at the cost of their own well-being, whether through attaining power or amassing riches, causing them to seem radiant in superficial splendor. Yet, the flame of their fire extinguishes on the day of their departure, as the fleeting glory they possessed is stripped away, while internally they remain ablaze with turmoil. Consequently, the flame is taken from the fire when the external luster vanishes, leaving only the inner torment. The righteous also possess a flame of fire, yet it undoubtedly radiates brightly because their aspirations illuminate good deeds. In contrast, the flame of the wicked does not shine, as their desires are entrenched in evil, compelling them to dwell in darkness. Thus, it follows:
Job's sharp criticism of his companions for their irrational remarks incites the ire of one, Baldad. In response, Baldad launches a bitter attack on Job, seizing upon Job's own declaration of impending death as irrefutable evidence of his guilt: for the very order established in creation indicates that the unrighteous, when faced with suffering, cannot escape its consequences, ultimately concluding with death.
Passages read together with this verse.
THEOSIS