The Shortness and Misery of Life
Job 14:1-2
Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.…


We should hardly imagine this verse to be correct if we were to judge of its truth by the conduct of mankind at large. The text is more awfully true, because men willingly allow their senses to be stupefied by the pleasures, or distracted by the cares of this their fleeting existence. Ever and anon, however, we are startled from our stupor, and awake in some degree to our real position.

I. THE SHORTNESS OF LIFE. In the first ages of the world, the term allotted to man was much longer than it is at present. In the sight of God, the longest life is but, as it were, a handbreadth. Life is compared to a vapour, or fog, which is soon scattered by the rising sun; to a swift ship; to an eagle hastening to its prey. "Lord, teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

II. THE TROUBLES OF LIFE. These come alike to all. All may say, "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been." Man is "full of trouble." But we must discriminate between the saint and the sinner. When we think and talk of death, we should ever connect it with that which follows. We must stand before the judgment seat of Christ. May you all be found standing with your lamps burning, and with your loins girded, "like men that wait for the coming of their Lord."

(C. Clayton, M. A.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.

WEB: "Man, who is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.




The Proper Estimate of Human Life
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