Job 14:4-14

4 There's nothing much to us to start with; how do you expect us to amount to anything?

5 Mortals have a limited life span. You've already decided how long we'll live - you set the boundary and no one can cross it.

6 So why not give us a break? Ease up! Even ditchdiggers get occasional days off.

7 For a tree there is always hope. Chop it down and it still has a chance - its roots can put out fresh sprouts.

8 Even if its roots are old and gnarled, its stump long dormant,

9 At the first whiff of water it comes to life, buds and grows like a sapling.

10 But men and women? They die and stay dead. They breathe their last, and that's it.

11 Like lakes and rivers that have dried up, parched reminders of what once was,

12 So mortals lie down and never get up, never wake up again - never.

13 Why don't you just bury me alive, get me out of the way until your anger cools? But don't leave me there! Set a date when you'll see me again.

14 If we humans die, will we live again? That's my question. All through these difficult days I keep hoping, waiting for the final change - for resurrection!

Job 14:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 14

Job, having turned himself from his friends to God, continues his address to him in this chapter; wherein he discourses of the frailty of man, the shortness of his life, the troubles that are in it, the sinfulness of it, and its limited duration, beyond which it cannot continue; all which he makes use of with God, that he would not therefore deal rigorously with him, but have pity on him, and cease from severely afflicting him, till he came to the end of his days, which could not be long, Job 14:1-6; he observes of a tree, when it is cut down to the root, yea, when the root is become old, and the stock dies, it will, by means of being watered, bud and sprout again, and produce boughs and branches; but man, like the failing waters of the sea, and the decayed and dried up flood, when he dies, rises not, till the heavens be no more, Job 14:7-12; and then he wishes to be hid in the grave till that time, and expresses hope and belief of the resurrection of the dead, Job 14:13-15; and goes on to complain of the strict notice God took of his sins, of his severe dealings with men, destroying their hope in life, and removing them by death; so that they see and know not the case and circumstances of their children they leave behind, and while they live have continual pain and sorrow, Job 14:16-22.