The Shortness of Human Life
Job 16:22
When a few years are come, then I shall go the way from where I shall not return.


Doctrine — The coming in of a few new years will set us out of this world, never to return to it.

I. IN WHAT RESPECTS WE CAN HAVE BUT FEW YEARS TO COME.

1. In comparison of the many years to which man's life did, at one time, extend.

2. In comparison of the years of the world that are past.

3. In comparison of the great work which we have to do, namely, our salvation and generation work.

4. In comparison of eternity.

II. WHY IS THE COMING, AND NOT THE GOING, OF THE FEW YEARS MENTIONED?

1. Because, that by the time they are fully come in, they are gone out.

2. Because that year will at length begin to come which we will never see the going out of.

III. WHEN THE FEW YEARS HAVE SENT US OFF, THERE IS NO RETURNING.

1. Men cannot come back (ver. 14).

2. God will not bring them back. Improvement —

(1) That men seriously weigh with themselves that they are now a great step nearer another world than they were.

(2) That they take a humbling back-look of their way, and consider the many wrong steps which they have taken in their past years.

(3) That they renew the acceptance of the covenant, and lay down measures for their safety in another world.

(4) Eternity is a business of great weight. The happiness of the other world is too great for us to be indifferent about it, and to be cheated out of it by Satan and our vain hearts.

(T. Boston, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: When a few years are come, then I shall go the way whence I shall not return.

WEB: For when a few years are come, I shall go the way of no return.




The Shortness and Frailty of Human Life
Top of Page
Top of Page