141 " Man , who is born of woman , Is short-lived e and full of turmoil . 2 " Like a flower he comes forth and withers . He also flees like a shadow and does not remain . 3 "You also open Your eyes on him And bring him into judgment with Yourself. 4 " Who can make the clean out of the unclean ? No one ! 5 "Since his days are determined , The number of his months is with You; And his limits You have set so that he cannot pass . 6 " Turn Your gaze from him that he may rest , Until he fulfills his day like a hired man .
7 "For there is hope for a tree , When it is cut down , that it will sprout again , And its shoots will not fail . 8 "Though its roots grow old in the ground And its stump dies in the dry soil , 9 At the scent of water it will flourish And put forth sprigs like a plant . 10 "But man dies and lies prostrate . Man expires , and where is he? 11 "As water evaporates from the sea , And a river becomes parched and dried up, 12 So man lies down and does not rise . Until the heavens are no longer , He will not awake nor be aroused out of his sleep .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 14:1-12
Commentary on Job 14:1-6
(Read Job 14:1-6)
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.
Commentary on Job 14:7-15
(Read Job 14:7-15)
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.