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1 Man that is borne of a woman, is of few dayes, and full of trouble.

2 Hee commeth forth like a flower, and is cut downe: he fleeth also, as a shaddow and continueth not.

3 And doest thou open thine eies vpon such an one, and bringest me into iudgment with thee?

4 Who can bring a cleane thing out of an vncleane? not one.

5 Seeing his daies are determined, the number of his moneths are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot passe.

6 Turne from him that hee may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hircling, his day.

7 For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut downe, that it will sprout againe, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.

8 Though the roote thereof waxe old in the earth, and the stocke thereof die in the ground:

9 Yet through the sent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughes like a plant.

10 But man dyeth, and wasteth away; yea, man giueth vp the ghost, and where is hee?

11 As the waters faile from the sea, and the floud decayeth and dryeth vp:

12 So man lyeth downe, and riseth not, till the heauens be no more, they shall not awake; nor bee raised out of their sleepe.

13 O that thou wouldest hide mee in the graue, that thou wouldest keepe me secret, vntill thy wrath bee past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me.

14 If a man die, shall he liue againe? All the dayes of my appointed time will I waite, till my change come.

15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt haue a desire to the worke of thine hands.

16 For nowe thou numbrest my steppes, doest thou not watch ouer my sinne?

17 My transgression is sealed vp in a bagge, and thou sowest vp mine iniquitie.

18 And surely the mountaine falling commeth to nought: and the rocke is remoued out of his place.

19 The waters weare the stones, thou washest away the things which growe out of the dust of the earth, and thou destroyest the hope of man.

20 Thou preuailest for euer against him, and hee passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.

21 His sonnes come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought lowe, but he perceiueth it not of them.

22 But his flesh vpon him shall haue paine, and his soule within him shall mourne.

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Commentary for Job 14

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 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.

Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.

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