Job Chapter 14
1 "Man, who is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.
2 He grows up like a flower, and is cut down. He also flees like a shadow, and doesn't continue.
3 Do you open your eyes on such a one, and bring me into judgement with you?
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? Not one.
5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his bounds that he can't pass;
6 Look away from him, that he may rest, until he accomplishes, as a hireling, his day.
7 "For there is hope for a tree if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, that the tender branch of it will not cease.
8 Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stock dies in the ground,
9 yet through the scent of water it will bud, and sprout boughs like a plant.
10 But man dies, and is laid low. Yes, man gives up the spirit, and where is he?
11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the river wastes and dries up,
12 so man lies down and doesn't rise. Until the heavens are no more, they will not awake, nor be roused out of their sleep.
13 "Oh that you would hide me in Sheol, that you would keep me secret until your wrath is past, that you would appoint me a set time and remember me!
14 If a man dies, will he live again? I would wait all the days of my warfare, until my release should come.
15 You would call, and I would answer you. You would have a desire for the work of your hands.
16 But now you count my steps. Don't you watch over my sin?
17 My disobedience is sealed up in a bag. You fasten up my iniquity.
18 "But the mountain falling comes to nothing. The rock is removed out of its place;
19 The waters wear the stones. The torrents of it wash away the dust of the earth. So you destroy the hope of man.
20 You forever prevail against him, and he departs. You change his face, and send him away.
21 His sons come to honour, and he doesn't know it. They are brought low, but he doesn't perceive it of them.
22 But his flesh on him has pain, and his soul within him mourns."
Footnotes
- Verse 13 (Sheol)
- Sheol is the place of the dead.
Version: World English Bible
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Job Chapter 14 Guide
Taking a more general outlook, Job declared that man's life is ever transitory, and full of trouble. This should be a reason why God should pity him, and let him work out the brief period of its duration in quietness (1-6). Naturally, following this, he spoke of what the end of a man's doing is, showing the endlessness thereof. There is hope for a bee that it will bud again, but there is none for a man (7-12). This dark assertion seems to have created in the mind of Job a question of wondering hope, If a man die, shall he live?
and he declared that if this were so, then he could endure through all the days of warfare (13-15). The whole answer ends in lamentation over his present condition, which is so strangely in contrast to the hope suggested.
Thus ends the first cycle. In it Job's friends had, with differing emphasis propounded the one general philosophy that God is righteous, and punishes the wicked while He blesses the good. They had left Job to make the personal application. He had denied their philosophy by opposing facts to their arguments. He was not wicked but just, and yet he was afflicted. He could not understand it himself, and while refusing to accept their view, was crying out to God for some explanation.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Job Chapter 14 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- Job speaks of man's life. -- (1-6)
- Of man's death. -- (7-15)
- By sin man is subject to corruption. -- (16-22)
Verses 1-6
Job enlarges upon the condition of man, addressing himself also to God. Every man of Adam's fallen race is short-lived. All his show of beauty, happiness, and splendour falls before the stroke of sickness or death, as the flower before the scythe; or passes away like the shadow. How is it possible for a man's conduct to be sinless, when his heart is by nature unclean? Here is a clear proof that Job understood and believed the doctrine of original sin. He seems to have intended it as a plea, why the Lord should not deal with him according to his own works, but according to His mercy and grace. It is determined, in the counsel and decree of God, how long we shall live. Our times are in his hands, the powers of nature act under him; in him we live and move. And it is very useful to reflect seriously on the shortness and uncertainty of human life, and the fading nature of all earthly enjoyments. But it is still more important to look at the cause, and remedy of these evils. Until we are born of the Spirit, no spiritually good thing dwells in us, or can proceed from us. Even the little good in the regenerate is defiled with sin. We should therefore humble ourselves before God, and cast ourselves wholly on the mercy of God, through our Divine Surety. We should daily seek the renewing of the Holy Ghost, and look to heaven as the only place of perfect holiness and happiness.
Verses 7-15
Though a tree is cut down, yet, in a moist situation, shoots come forth, and grow up as a newly planted tree. But when man is cut off by death, he is for ever removed from his place in this world. The life of man may fitly be compared to the waters of a land flood, which spread far, but soon dry up. All Job's expressions here show his belief in the great doctrine of the resurrection. Job's friends proving miserable comforters, he pleases himself with the expectation of a change. If our sins are forgiven, and our hearts renewed to holiness, heaven will be the rest of our souls, while our bodies are hidden in the grave from the malice of our enemies, feeling no more pain from our corruptions, or our corrections.
Verses 16-22
Job's faith and hope spake, and grace appeared to revive; but depravity again prevailed. He represents God as carrying matters to extremity against him. The Lord must prevail against all who contend with him. God may send disease and pain, we may lose all comfort in those near and dear to us, every hope of earthly happiness may be destroyed, but God will receive the believer into realms of eternal happiness. But what a change awaits the prosperous unbeliever! How will he answer when God shall call him to his tribunal? The Lord is yet upon a mercy-seat, ready to be gracious. Oh that sinners would be wise, that they would consider their latter end! While man's flesh is upon him, that is, the body he is so loth to lay down, it shall have pain; and while his soul is within him, that is, the spirit he is so loth to resign, it shall mourn. Dying work is hard work; dying pangs often are sore pangs. It is folly for men to defer repentance to a death-bed, and to have that to do which is the one thing needful, when unfit to do anything.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.