An old cut tree stump alone on stony ground at sunrise, dark and weathered, low in the frame under a calm, pale, empty sky.

The Book of

Job 14

Job is still speaking, now to God, at the end of round one. All three friends have had their say, and he asks the oldest question there is.

22 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–3The testBlameless, stripped of everything, and his cry
4–14Round oneThe friends speak; Job answersChapter 14
15–21Round twoMy Redeemer lives
22–31Round threeThen wisdom, and Job's last defense
32–37ElihuA younger voice
38–41The LORD speaksOut of the whirlwind
42The endJob prays and is restored

Job Laments the Finality of Death

Job

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Job

Who can bring out clean from unclean? No one!

Reflect

Short of days

Job says man is “short of days and full of trouble.” If you took that seriously today, what would you stop putting off? Write down one thing, and one person.

Job

Rain just beginning on a dead stump in dry ground, the soil around it going dark, one tiny green bud at the stump's edge, low in the frame under soft gray light.

For there is hope for a tree:

If it is cut down, it will sprout again,

and its tender shoots will not fail.

If its roots grow old in the ground

and its stump dies in the soil,

at the scent of water it will bud

and put forth twigs like a sapling.

But a man dies and is laid low;

he breathes his last, and where is he?

As water disappears from the sea

and a river becomes parched and dry,

so a man lies down

and does not rise.

Until the heavens are no more,

he will not be awakened or roused from sleep.

0:33

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Job

so a man lies down and does not rise

Job

When a man dies, will he live again?

Question

Quick question

Job compares a man’s end with something that can come back.

What does Job say has hope, if it is cut down?

Job

Job

But as a mountain erodes and crumbles

and a rock is dislodged from its place,

as water wears away the stones

and torrents wash away the soil,

so You destroy a man’s hope.

You forever overpower him, and he passes on;

You change his countenance and send him away.

If his sons receive honor, he does not know it;

if they are brought low, he is unaware.

He feels only the pain of his own body

and mourns only for himself.”

Round one

Whiteboard

Three friends and one rule. Each time, Job turns further from them and closer to God, even in his anger. Round two is coming, and it is harder.

You’ve experienced

Job 14

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A verse to carry with you

When a man dies, will he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, until my renewal comes.

Job 14:14

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