141 Man, born of woman! Of few days, and full of trouble! 2 As a flower he hath gone forth, and is cut off, And he fleeth as a shadow and standeth not. 3 Also—on this Thou hast opened Thine eyes, And dost bring me into judgment with Thee. 4 Who giveth a clean thing out of an unclean? not one. 5 If determined are his days, The number of his months 'are' with Thee, His limit Thou hast made, And he passeth not over; 6 Look away from off him that he may cease, Till he enjoy as an hireling his day.
7 For there is of a tree hope, if it be cut down, That again it doth change, That its tender branch doth not cease. 8 If its root becometh old in the earth, And its stem doth die in the dust, 9 From the fragrance of water it doth flourish, And hath made a crop as a plant. 10 And a man dieth, and becometh weak, And man expireth, and where 'is' he? 11 Waters have gone away from a sea, And a river becometh waste and dry. 12 And man hath lain down, and riseth not, Till the wearing out of the heavens they awake not, Nor are roused from their 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.