1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.
2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.
3 And doth thou open thine eyes upon such an one, and bringest me into judgment with thee?
4 Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one.
5 Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass;
6 Turn from him, that he may rest, till he shall accomplish, as an hireling, his day.
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.
8 Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground;
9 Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?
11 As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up:
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.
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 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.
15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
16 For now thou numberest my steps: dost thou not watch over my sin?
17 My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity.
18 And surely the mountains falling cometh to nought, and the rock is removed out of his place.
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.
20 Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth: thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away.
21 His sons come to honour, and he knoweth it not; and they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them.
22 But his flesh upon him shall have pain, and his soul within him shall mourn.
Chapter 14 of the Book of Job is a continuation of Job's response to his friends' accusations and judgments. In this chapter, Job reflects on the fleeting nature of human life and the inevitability of death. He also expresses his longing for relief from his suffering and his hope for restoration and redemption from God.
Job begins by acknowledging the limited time that humans have on earth. He compares human life to a flower that withers and fades away, and to a shadow that quickly passes by. He says, "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" (Job 14:1-2). This verse highlights the fragility and transience of human life.
Job also acknowledges the limitations of human abilities and the inevitability of death. He says, "Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one" (Job 14:4). This statement reflects the belief that death is a result of human sin and that no one can escape it. Job also says, "Seeing his days are determined, the number of his months are with thee, thou hast appointed his bounds that he cannot pass" (Job 14:5). This verse emphasizes the idea that human life is predetermined and that death is an unavoidable fate.
Job then turns his attention to his own suffering and asks God to look away from his sins and forgive him. He says, "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!" (Job 14:13). This verse reflects Job's desire to escape his suffering and find peace in death.
Job also expresses his longing for relief from his suffering by describing the pain and torment he endures. He compares his suffering to a prisoner's chains, saying, "My transgression is sealed up in a bag, and thou sewest up mine iniquity. And surely the mountains 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" (Job 14:17-19). This passage illustrates the depth of Job's suffering and his desperation for it to end.
Despite his despair, Job holds onto hope for restoration and redemption from God. He says, "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" (Job 14:7-9). This verse reflects Job's belief that even though his life may seem hopeless and destroyed, there is still a chance for renewal and restoration.
Job also expresses his faith in God's mercy and forgiveness. He says, "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" (Job 14:15-17). These verses show Job's trust in God's love and mercy, and his belief that God will not hold his sins against him forever.
Chapter 14 of the Book of Job is a powerful reflection on the human experience of suffering and the inevitability of death. Through Job's words, we see the struggle and pain of a man who has lost everything and is facing his own mortality. We also see his longing for relief and his hope for redemption and restoration from God.
This chapter also highlights the limitations of human understanding and the mystery of God's ways. Job's friends continue to accuse him of sin and judgment, but Job recognizes that only God knows the true reasons behind his suffering. He says, "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" (Job 14:10-12). These verses show Job's resignation to the mystery and unpredictability of life and death.
Ultimately, the meaning of Chapter 14 is a reminder of the fleeting nature of human life and the importance of turning to God in times of suffering and despair. It also teaches us to trust in God's mercy and hope for restoration and redemption, even in the face of death and loss.
Chapter 14 of the Book of Job is a poignant reflection on the human experience of suffering and mortality. Through Job's words, we see the fragility and transience of life, the limitations of human understanding, and the importance of trusting in God's mercy and hope for restoration. This chapter serves as a reminder to turn to God in times of suffering and to have faith in His plan, even when we do not understand it.
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