Job 14:1 | KingComments | STEP | Job continues his answer to Zophar. In he describes the brevity and restlessness of man’s life ( ; ; ). He is now going to apply the situation in which he finds himself to every human being. Just as God treats him, He treats every man, he believes ( ). Just look at man. By speaking of man as “born of a woman” Job emphasizes his weakness and fragility. That is the woman par excellence, and so is what she produces. There are exceptions, but in general you observe that a human being only lives for a short time and that he is unstable in his life. It has gone well for a moment, just like a flower that comes forth ( ). But how short-lived is its beauty. After a few days it has withered and its beauty has disappeared. The flee of a shadow shows it. At dusk, a shadow moves quickly and without making a sound until it has disappeared. That process cannot be stopped. The shadow is connected with night and death. There is no escape. This is how Job sees his life and life of man in general. There is no hope and no joy, only misery, now and tomorrow.

‏ Job 14:1

The Brevity of Life

Job continues his answer to Zophar. In Job 14:1-2 he describes the brevity and restlessness of man’s life (Psa 90:10 ; Psa 103:15; Gen 47:9; Jam 1:11). He is now going to apply the situation in which he finds himself to every human being. Just as God treats him, He treats every man, he believes (Job 14:1).

Just look at man. By speaking of man as “born of a woman” Job emphasizes his weakness and fragility. That is the woman par excellence, and so is what she produces. There are exceptions, but in general you observe that a human being only lives for a short time and that he is unstable in his life.

It has gone well for a moment, just like a flower that comes forth (Job 14:2). But how short-lived is its beauty. After a few days it has withered and its beauty has disappeared. The flee of a shadow shows it. At dusk, a shadow moves quickly and without making a sound until it has disappeared. That process cannot be stopped. The shadow is connected with night and death. There is no escape. This is how Job sees his life and life of man in general. There is no hope and no joy, only misery, now and tomorrow.