Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.
Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.
Job 14 is a poignant reflection on the human condition, a lament filled with both despair and a glimmer of hope. In this chapter, Job continues his defense against his friends' accusations, grappling with the apparent injustice of his suffering and questioning God's ways. He acknowledges the fleeting nature of life, the inevitability of death, and yet, amidst the darkness, clings to a fragile hope for restoration. This chapter offers profound insights into the struggles of faith, the mysteries of God's sovereignty, and the enduring human longing for meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.
The Frailty of Human Existence (Job 14:1-6)
Job begins with a stark observation: "Man who is born of woman is few of days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). This verse encapsulates the essence of the human experience – a life characterized by brevity and hardship. He recognizes that everyone's life is short and inevitably filled with sorrow. Like a flower that blossoms briefly before withering, human life is transient and fragile (Job 14:2).
Job questions why God would focus His attention on such a fleeting and imperfect being. He asks, "And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you?" (Job 14:3). He feels scrutinized and judged, even though he believes his days are already numbered. He emphasizes the inherent impurity of humanity, stating, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one" (Job 14:4). This acknowledges the universal reality of sin and imperfection that separates humanity from a holy God.
Because human lifespan is predetermined, Job asks God to turn away from him so that he can enjoy a brief respite (Job 14:6). This is not a rejection of God, but a desperate plea for temporary relief from suffering.
The Certainty of Death (Job 14:7-12)
Job contrasts the fate of humans with that of a tree. "For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease" (Job 14:7). Even if a tree is felled, it can regenerate and come back to life. However, Job laments that once a person dies, they do not return in the same way: "But man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he?" (Job 14:10).
He uses vivid imagery to describe the finality of death, comparing it to water evaporating from a lake or a river drying up (Job 14:11). He concludes that humans lie down and do not rise again until the heavens are no more (Job 14:12). This reflects a sense of hopelessness and the belief that death marks the end of earthly existence.
A Glimmer of Hope (Job 14:13-17)
Despite the despair, a flicker of hope emerges. Job expresses a longing for a hiding place in Sheol, the realm of the dead, where God's wrath would pass, and a set time would come for God to remember him (Job 14:13). "If a man dies, shall he live again?" (Job 14:14) Job asks. He then declares he will wait until his release should come. This is not a firm belief in resurrection, but a yearning for a future restoration, a possibility that God might one day intervene.
Job imagines God calling out to him, and he would answer (Job 14:15). He envisions God longing for the work of His hands. This suggests a desire for reconciliation and renewed fellowship with God. Even in the face of immense suffering, Job cannot completely extinguish the hope that God's love and mercy might ultimately prevail.
He acknowledges that God observes his actions, but he hopes that God will not keep a perpetual record of his sins (Job 14:16-17). He desires forgiveness and a fresh start.
The Relentless Nature of Suffering (Job 14:18-22)
Job returns to the theme of relentless suffering, comparing it to the erosion caused by water on stone (Job 14:19). He feels that God is relentlessly wearing him down, destroying his hope.
He laments that God prevails forever against him, causing him to pass away, changing his countenance, and sending him away (Job 14:20). He grieves that his children may be honored, and he does not know it; or they may be brought low, but he does not perceive it (Job 14:21).
The chapter concludes with Job's poignant acknowledgment that he feels only the pain of his own suffering (Job 14:22). This underscores the isolation and anguish he experiences in his affliction.
Enduring Faith in the Midst of Suffering
Job 14 encapsulates the struggle of faith in the face of overwhelming suffering. It acknowledges the brevity of life, the certainty of death, and the mystery of God's ways. While the chapter is filled with lament and questioning, it also contains a glimmer of hope, a yearning for restoration, and an enduring faith in God's ultimate goodness. Job's words resonate with anyone who has wrestled with pain, loss, and the search for meaning in a broken world. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, we can cling to the hope that God's love and mercy will ultimately prevail. Job's unwavering integrity, even when stripped of everything, serves as a powerful example of resolute faith.
Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
And dost thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?
Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.
For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.
Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
And surely the mountain falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
The waters wear the stones: thou washest away the things which grow out of the dust of the earth; and thou destroyest the hope of man.
Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.
Job 14 is a poignant reflection on the human condition, a lament filled with both despair and a glimmer of hope. In this chapter, Job continues his defense against his friends' accusations, grappling with the apparent injustice of his suffering and questioning God's ways. He acknowledges the fleeting nature of life, the inevitability of death, and yet, amidst the darkness, clings to a fragile hope for restoration. This chapter offers profound insights into the struggles of faith, the mysteries of God's sovereignty, and the enduring human longing for meaning and purpose in the face of adversity.
The Frailty of Human Existence (Job 14:1-6)
Job begins with a stark observation: "Man who is born of woman is few of days and full of trouble" (Job 14:1). This verse encapsulates the essence of the human experience – a life characterized by brevity and hardship. He recognizes that everyone's life is short and inevitably filled with sorrow. Like a flower that blossoms briefly before withering, human life is transient and fragile (Job 14:2).
Job questions why God would focus His attention on such a fleeting and imperfect being. He asks, "And do you open your eyes on such a one and bring me into judgment with you?" (Job 14:3). He feels scrutinized and judged, even though he believes his days are already numbered. He emphasizes the inherent impurity of humanity, stating, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? There is not one" (Job 14:4). This acknowledges the universal reality of sin and imperfection that separates humanity from a holy God.
Because human lifespan is predetermined, Job asks God to turn away from him so that he can enjoy a brief respite (Job 14:6). This is not a rejection of God, but a desperate plea for temporary relief from suffering.
The Certainty of Death (Job 14:7-12)
Job contrasts the fate of humans with that of a tree. "For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease" (Job 14:7). Even if a tree is felled, it can regenerate and come back to life. However, Job laments that once a person dies, they do not return in the same way: "But man dies and is laid low; man breathes his last, and where is he?" (Job 14:10).
He uses vivid imagery to describe the finality of death, comparing it to water evaporating from a lake or a river drying up (Job 14:11). He concludes that humans lie down and do not rise again until the heavens are no more (Job 14:12). This reflects a sense of hopelessness and the belief that death marks the end of earthly existence.
A Glimmer of Hope (Job 14:13-17)
Despite the despair, a flicker of hope emerges. Job expresses a longing for a hiding place in Sheol, the realm of the dead, where God's wrath would pass, and a set time would come for God to remember him (Job 14:13). "If a man dies, shall he live again?" (Job 14:14) Job asks. He then declares he will wait until his release should come. This is not a firm belief in resurrection, but a yearning for a future restoration, a possibility that God might one day intervene.
Job imagines God calling out to him, and he would answer (Job 14:15). He envisions God longing for the work of His hands. This suggests a desire for reconciliation and renewed fellowship with God. Even in the face of immense suffering, Job cannot completely extinguish the hope that God's love and mercy might ultimately prevail.
He acknowledges that God observes his actions, but he hopes that God will not keep a perpetual record of his sins (Job 14:16-17). He desires forgiveness and a fresh start.
The Relentless Nature of Suffering (Job 14:18-22)
Job returns to the theme of relentless suffering, comparing it to the erosion caused by water on stone (Job 14:19). He feels that God is relentlessly wearing him down, destroying his hope.
He laments that God prevails forever against him, causing him to pass away, changing his countenance, and sending him away (Job 14:20). He grieves that his children may be honored, and he does not know it; or they may be brought low, but he does not perceive it (Job 14:21).
The chapter concludes with Job's poignant acknowledgment that he feels only the pain of his own suffering (Job 14:22). This underscores the isolation and anguish he experiences in his affliction.
Enduring Faith in the Midst of Suffering
Job 14 encapsulates the struggle of faith in the face of overwhelming suffering. It acknowledges the brevity of life, the certainty of death, and the mystery of God's ways. While the chapter is filled with lament and questioning, it also contains a glimmer of hope, a yearning for restoration, and an enduring faith in God's ultimate goodness. Job's words resonate with anyone who has wrestled with pain, loss, and the search for meaning in a broken world. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, we can cling to the hope that God's love and mercy will ultimately prevail. Job's unwavering integrity, even when stripped of everything, serves as a powerful example of resolute faith.