Job 18:5-21

The disastrous end of the wicked, in the moral order of the world, is certain

The last verse naturally led over to this idea, which is the theme of the speech. The idea is set out in a great variety of graphic figures, and the speech is studded with sententious and proverbial sayings in the manner of the speaker's first discourse (ch. 8). The history of the wicked man's downfall is followed through all its stages:

Job 18:5.

The principle the sinner's light goes out.

Job 18:8.

The progress of his downfall.

Job 18:12.

The final scenes.

Job 18:15.

The extinction of his race and name.

Job 18:18.

Men's horror of his fate and memory.

5 7. The principle the sinner's light goes out. The word yeameans "notwithstanding" in spite of Job's struggling against the law, the law remains and verifies itself universally. The bright beacon light on the sinner's tent goes out, and the cheerful flame on his hearth shines no more. His home is desolate. The word "light" lends itself in all languages for such general use, as the Arab proverb says, Fate has put out my light extinguished my prosperity. The picture here however is scarcely to be so generalized.