Tyndale Open Study NotesJob 14

• The flower symbolizes how short life is (Psalms 90:5–6; 103:15–16; Isaiah 40:6–7).

• A shadow passes quickly (1 Chronicles 29:15; Psalm 102:11).

open Your eyes: Job complained about God's constant surveillance (7:8, 17–20; 10:6, 14; 13:27).

does not rise: Job did not have even the minimal evidence of resurrection found in the Old Testament (2 Kings 13:21; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; see also Job 19:25). Job was not focusing on the end of the universe when the heavens will disappear (Psalm 102:25–26; Isaiah 34:4; 51:6; Hebrews 1:10–12). He was referring to the eternal nature of the heavens (Psalm 148:6; see also Psalms 72:5, 7, 17; 89:29, 37). His phrase refers to the permanent state of death.

The grave is a permanent home (14:10–12, see 3:13–19; 7:6–10; 10:20–22). Job could not fulfill his request from 13:20–21 to hide temporarily in the grave.

count my steps: Here, Job refers to God's protective care rather than his surveillance (10:12; 13:27; 14:3).

If transgression becomes sealed in a bag, it does not wait for judgment (Deuteronomy 32:34–35; Hosea 13:12). It remains hidden forever. Job was asking for God to forgive him.

Job no longer considered Sheol as a safe place (3:17–19; 14:13–17). The Old Testament often describes dead people as having no feelings (Psalm 88:12; Ecclesiastes 9:5; compare Isaiah 50:11; 66:24). The New Testament more plainly teaches that evil dead people experience suffering (Luke 16:23, 28; Revelation 14:11).