Job - Caput 14

Job 14.1 homo natus de muliere brevi vivens tempore repletus multis miseriis Job 14.2 quasi flos egreditur et conteritur et fugit velut umbra et numquam in eodem statu permanet Job 14.3 et dignum ducis super huiuscemodi aperire oculos tuos et adducere eum tecum in iudicium Job 14.4 quis potest facere mundum de inmundo conceptum semine nonne tu qui solus es Job 14.5 breves dies hominis sunt numerus mensuum eius apud te est constituisti terminos eius qui praeterire non poterunt Job 14.6 recede paululum ab eo ut quiescat donec optata veniat sicut mercennarii dies eius Job 14.7 lignum habet spem si praecisum fuerit rursum virescit et rami eius pullulant Job 14.8 si senuerit in terra radix eius et in pulvere emortuus fuerit truncus illius Job 14.9 ad odorem aquae germinabit et faciet comam quasi cum primum plantatum est Job 14.10 homo vero cum mortuus fuerit et nudatus atque consumptus ubi quaeso est Job 14.11 quomodo si recedant aquae de mari et fluvius vacuefactus arescat Job 14.12 sic homo cum dormierit non resurget donec adteratur caelum non evigilabit nec consurget de somno suo Job 14.13 quis mihi hoc tribuat ut in inferno protegas me ut abscondas me donec pertranseat furor tuus et constituas mihi tempus in quo recorderis mei Job 14.14 putasne mortuus homo rursum vivet cunctis diebus quibus nunc milito expecto donec veniat inmutatio mea Job 14.15 vocabis et ego respondebo tibi operi manuum tuarum porriges dexteram Job 14.16 tu quidem gressus meos dinumerasti sed parces peccatis meis Job 14.17 signasti quasi in sacculo delicta mea sed curasti iniquitatem meam Job 14.18 mons cadens defluet et saxum transfertur de loco suo Job 14.19 lapides excavant aquae et adluvione paulatim terra consumitur et homines ergo similiter perdes Job 14.20 roborasti eum paululum ut in perpetuum pertransiret inmutabis faciem eius et emittes eum Job 14.21 sive nobiles fuerint filii eius sive ignobiles non intelleget Job 14.22 attamen caro eius dum vivet dolebit et anima illius super semet ipso lugebit

Job : Caput 14

Reflections on Mortality in the Book of Job Chapter 14 of Job offers a profound meditation on human mortality. In his grief and search for meaning, Job examines the brevity and fragility of life. Through poetic metaphors, he compares human existence to a fleeting flower and ponders the possibility of life after death. This chapter explores universal themes such as sin, the desire to escape divine judgment, and the hope, however faint, of renewal. Job 14 raises existential questions that resonate through the ages.

Meditation on Enlightening Biblical Passages

To enrich our understanding of the thoughts expressed in this philosophical chapter, let's meditate on five biblical passages that shed light on Job's reflections.

Psalms 103:15-16

"A man's life is like grass; he flourishes like the flower of the field; but when the wind blows through him, he disappears; and you will not know your place."

This verse echoes Job's reflections in Job 14:1-2 on the brevity of human life, emphasizing the fragility of our existence.

Ecclesiastes 3:20

"Everyone goes to the same place; all come from the dust, and to dust all return."

This relates to Job 14:10-12, which addresses the finiteness of human life and our return to our origins.

1 Corinthians 15:42-43

"So it will be with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable and what is raised is imperishable; what is sown in dishonor and raised in glory; what is sown in weakness and raised in power."

This passage contrasts with Job's pessimistic view in Job 14:14, thus offering a prospect of hope in the resurrection.

Romans 8:20-21

"For the creation is subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in the hope that creation itself will be delivered from its bondage to corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."

This verse offers a broader perspective on the theme of corruption and renewal, addressed in Job 14:7-9, reminding us of the hope that accompanies suffering.

John 5:28-29

"Do not marvel at this, for the time is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out; those who have done good will rise, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."

This passage contrasts with Job's doubt in Job 14:14 about the possibility of life after death, encouraging us to maintain faith in the promise of resurrection.

Meditating on these texts, we are invited to reflect on our own existence, the fragility of life, and the hope of eternal renewal promised by our faith.