Matthew Henry Commentary Job 14:16-22

"But now thou numberest my steps: Dost thou not watch over my sin? My transgression is sealed up in a bag, And thou fastenest up mine iniquity. But the mountain falling cometh to nought; And the rock is removed out of its place; The waters wear the stones; The overflowings thereof wash away the dust of the earth: So thou destroyest the hope of man. Thou prevailest for ever against him, and he passeth; Thou changest his countenance, and sendest him away. His sons come to honor, and he knoweth it not; And they are brought low, but he perceiveth it not of them. But his flesh upon him hath pain, And his soul within him mourneth." — Job 14:16-22 (ASV)

Job's faith and hope spoke, and grace appeared to revive; but depravity again prevailed. He represents God as carrying matters to an extreme 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 calls him to his tribunal? The Lord is still on 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 loath to lay down, it will have pain; and while his soul is within him, that is, the spirit he is so loath to resign, it will mourn. Dying is hard work; dying pangs are often sore pangs. It is folly for men to defer repentance to a deathbed and to have that which is the one thing needful still to do when they are unfit to do anything.