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14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.
14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
14:3 And doth thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee? 14:4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
14:5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass; 14:6 Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.
14:7 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.
14:8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; 14:9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
14:10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? 14:11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: 14:12 So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
14:13 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! 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
14:15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
14:16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin? 14:17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
14:18 And surely the mountains falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
14:19 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.
14:20 Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
14:21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
14:22 But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.


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Everything King James Bible:Job
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to: Job
Book: Job
Chapter: 14

Overview:
Job speaks of Man's Life. (1-6) Of Man's Death. (7-15) By Sin
Man is subject to corruption. (16-22)

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.

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.

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 loath to lay down, it shall
have pain; and while his soul is within him, that is, the Spirit
he is So loath 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.

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