16 "For now You number my steps , You do not observe my sin . 17 "My transgression is sealed up in a bag , And You wrap up my iniquity . 18 "But the falling mountain crumbles away , And the rock moves from its place ; 19 Water wears away stones , Its torrents wash away the dust of the earth ; So You destroy man's hope . 20 "You forever overpower him and he departs ; You change his appearance and send him away . 21 "His sons achieve honor , but he does not know it; Or they become insignificant , but he does not perceive it. 22 "But his body pains him, And he mourns only for himself ."
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.