Job Chapter 14
Please read: Job 14 –
In this continuation of Job’s speech, we hear him speak of the mortality of mankind. He compares the short lifespan of a man to that of a flower that blooms and then quickly fades. And during his lifespan, that life is full of troubles. We all can quickly agree with what Job has said. No one born on this earth will escape some troublesome times. And we learn here that it is only God who knows our number of days. He knows the day in which we will pass from this life.
We see that for Job the afterlife is confusing. He knows that when he dies, he cannot rise up again. He knows that going to the grave or sheol means that his mortal body will not come back to life. But he also has hope that at some point his creator will bring him to Himself. Job showed hope that he would one day be with God. Later in the book God will answer this confusion for Job.
That is why I am so thankful. I know without a shadow of a doubt that when I pass from this life on earth that I will be in heaven with God because of the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. His death paid the penalty for my sins and then He triumphed over death when He raised back to life. Jesus is my Redeemer and my Savior.
Let's Reflect
1. What besides a fading flower did Job compare the shortness of a man’s lifespan?
2. Job knows that God forgives the sinner but because he is confused about his current suffering and he asks the question if God demands more of him than he can give. Does God demand him to be perfect? Job knows this is something he cannot be. The obvious answer to that question is no because men are born sinners. Job may have brought this up because who else would have been listening to his words besides God?
3. In Job’s mind what is the difference between a tree that has been cut down and a man when he dies?
4. Verses 14 and 15 show the hope that Job expresses that there was more beyond the grave. How does Job beautifully express what he hopes God who is his creator will do?
5. Job shows great wisdom in knowing that if he will one day be in God’s presence then it would mean that all of his sins must have been forgiven and put away since there is no sin in heaven. How does Job describe the way in which God must put away our sins?
6. And then in the last section we see that Job is consumed with the end. God is in charge and there is nothing man can do about it. God has our days numbered. What other examples does Job express with the idea that God is in control and there is nothing man can do about it?
7. One of the terrible things about death is not experienced by the one who dies. The only pain that the dying person may have is pain in his own body. But the most pain is experienced by those who remain and have lost their loved one. Job describes the relatives that come to pay their respect to the one who has passed. His example of the relatives is ironic because Job had lost his children. Who did he give as an example?
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57
