This chapter is a continuation of the previous chapter, as Job proceeds to argue his case with God. Here’s the chapter in its entirety: “How frail is humanity! How short is life, and how full of trouble! Like a flower, we blossom for a moment and then wither. Like the shadow of a passing cloud, we quickly disappear. Must you keep an eye on such a frail creature and demand an accounting from me? Who can create purity in one born impure? No one! You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer. So give us a little rest, won’t you? Turn away your angry stare. We are like hired hands, so let us finish the task you have given us. (Wow...Job is flirting with being down-right disrespectful to God.)
“If a tree is cut down, there is hope that it will sprout again and grow new branches. Though its roots have grown old in the earth and its stump decays, at the scent of water it may bud and sprout again like a new seedling.
“But when people die, they lose all strength. They breathe their last, and then where are they? As water evaporates from a lake and as a river disappears in drought, people lie down and do not rise again. Until the heavens are no more, they will not wake up nor be roused from their sleep.
“I wish you would hide me with the dead and forget me there until your anger has passed. But mark your calendar to think of me again! If mortals die, can they live again? This thought would give me hope, and through my struggle I would eagerly wait for release. (Ok, that’s better. Job is improving his tone towards the Lord.) You would call and I would answer, and you would yearn for me, your handiwork. For then you would count my steps, instead of watching for my sins. My sins would be sealed in a pouch, and you would cover over my iniquity.
“But as mountains fall and crumble and as rocks fall from a cliff, as water wears away the stones and floods wash away the soil, so you destroy people’s hope. You always overpower them, and then they pass from the scene. You disfigure them in death and send them away. They never know if their sons grow up in honor or sink to insignificance. They are absorbed in their own pain and grief. (Job 14) (Wow! God IS hope! And Job is charging the Lord with destroying people’s hope!)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us, Lord, refrain from charging you with unloving accusations, as Job is doing right now. For he knows not what he is doing. He is experiencing a pain beyond measure, but that is never an excuse to condemn you. Help us recognize how good and amazing you are regardless of the pain we may have to endure. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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