Job 14:10 But man dies, and wastes away: yes, man gives up the ghost, and where is he? 1. Man is subject to decay, though he suffer neither outward violence nor internal injury. In the midst of life we are in death. 2. Numbers die by accident — suicide, violence, intemperance. 3. The mortality of the human race is universal. 4. Human life is so short and uncertain that it is invariably compared to those things that are most subject to change. 5. What a specimen we have of the ravages of death since the time of Adam. 6. Death is attended with painful circumstances. "He giveth up the ghost." 1. This expression implies that after man has died and wasted away, the soul still remains in a separate state. This is one of those truths that even reason itself teaches. 2. That the soul remains in a separate state is certain, from Scripture passages and facts. Such as Samuel's appearance to Saul. Moses and Elias at the Transfiguration.At the resurrection of Christ many of the dead arose and appeared. "And where is he?" 1. This is a question very frequently and very naturally asked, when those are missing whom we constantly saw or heard speak of, or with whom we were wont to converse. 2. The affecting answer is, "They have died and wasted away — they have given up the ghost." What is become of the soul? We only know that the final destiny of man depends upon his state and character at the hour of death, It is true that neither the righteous nor the wicked enjoy or suffer their happiness or misery until after the resurrection. The intermediate space affords ample time for reflection. 3. But what will be the subject of their reflection? (1) Things present: the good; the blessings, the enjoyments, the company of paradise. The bad the horrors, the sorrows, the companions of the dark pit. (2) Things absent: the godly, the departure of all evil; the ungodly, the absence of all good. (3) Things past: the righteous, a long and perilous pilgrimage; the wicked, a useless and wicked life. (4) Things to come: the saved, the glories of the last great day, the acquittal of the Judge, the union with the body, the prospect of never-ending felicity; the lost, the terrors of the great day, the presence and sentence of the Judge, the consciousness of having to endure eternal torments. (B. Bailey.) Parallel Verses KJV: But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?WEB: But man dies, and is laid low. Yes, man gives up the spirit, and where is he? |
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