Life a Warfare
M. Biggs, M. A. Job 14:14 If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. First, let us hear the warning, "If a man die, shall he live again?" The lives of other men, — their blindness to the changes and decay in themselves which are so evident to their fellows, — the experience of our own hearts, above all, which have so lightly retained many strong impressions, may make us feel the necessity of this caution. We shall indeed live forever. Our souls cannot lose their consciousness. But a deathless eternity will offer no period similar to this life on the earth. There will be no new trial, no new place of conflict with evil, no time to seek the Lord, and to do good to our own souls. In this consists the true value, and inestimable importance of life; it is the one time of probation for an external judgment; it is the time to fit ourselves "for the inheritance of the saints in light." We are able in some respect to see that the allowing to those who waste the present life a second trial upon earth, would have produced incalculable evil. Even as it is, with death and judgment in view, how many live carelessly. If men knew that after death comes the entrance into a further period of preparation, repentance would be far more rare, and the number of those who are treading the narrow way heavenward greatly diminished. In the ease supposed, those who revived from death would enter on their second time of trial, not with a childish proneness to evil, but with hearts inured to sensuality, and we may say, inflexibly hardened in disobedience. Would not the amendment of sinners, and the constancy of the godly then become well-nigh impossible? These considerations may teach us that it is a method at once necessary, righteous, and merciful, by which "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." This is the hour in which God hath appointed you, not to wrath, but to obtain salvation by Him; to be fellow workers with Him in accomplishing your renovation. If we consider our ways, how much is there to correct and amend! How much remains for the Spirit of God yet to work in us Such reflections may prepare us to adopt Job's resolution, "All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come." The word rendered "appointed time" has in the original a peculiar signification. It almost always signifies "an army," as in the expression, "Lord God of Sabaoth," or "Lord God of hosts." The word warfare is the same as the word Job employs; so we may read, "All the days of my warfare I will wait till my change come." With great propriety Job might speak of himself as enduring a great fight of afflictions. But to each of us this word "warfare" is most significant. The term impresses on us the duty of self-denial. Without forgetfulness of things behind, without submission and prompt obedience to the general's command, no soldier, however excellent might be his personal qualities, however high his courage, would be of any service to the army he had joined, but rather an incumbrance. How much more does this renunciation of our own will and pleasure become us, who follow such a Leader! Our warfare is an especial act of faith; for it is a spiritual combat. Our enemies do not show themselves. He who has made any real efforts to live a godly life, knows that "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal." This figure of our warfare represents to us, above all, the necessity of patience. "All the days of my warfare will I wait."...To him who is emulating the resolve of Job, there is not only caution, but abundant comfort in his reflection that if a man die, he will not live again any such life as the present. Human life is the day in which we are to rejoice and labour. (M. Biggs, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. WEB: If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my warfare would I wait, until my release should come.