16 For now my steps are numbered by you, and my sin is not overlooked. 17 My wrongdoing is corded up in a bag, and my sin is shut up safe. 18 But truly a mountain falling comes to dust, and a rock is moved from its place; 19 The stones are crushed small by the force of the waters; the dust of the earth is washed away by their overflowing: and so you put an end to the hope of man. 20 You overcome him for ever, and he is gone; his face is changed in death, and you send him away. 21 His sons come to honour, and he has no knowledge of it; they are made low, but he is not conscious of it. 22 Only his flesh still has pain, and his soul is sad.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 14:16-22
Commentary on Job 14:16-22
(Read Job 14:16-22)
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.