16 But now, my steps Thou numberest, Thou dost not watch over my sin. 17 Sealed up in a bag 'is' my transgression, And Thou sewest up mine iniquity. 18 And yet, a falling mountain wasteth away, And a rock is removed from its place. 19 Stones have waters worn away, Their outpourings wash away the dust of earth, And the hope of man Thou hast destroyed. 20 Thou prevailest 'over' him for ever, and he goeth, He is changing his countenance, And Thou sendest him away. 21 Honoured are his sons, and he knoweth not; And they are little, and he attendeth not to them. 22 Only—his flesh for him is pained, And his soul for him doth mourn.'
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.