For there is hope for a tree,
When it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And its shoots will not fail.
Though its roots grow old in the ground,
And its stump dies in the dry soil,
At the scent of water it will flourish
And produce sprigs like a plant.
But a man dies and lies prostrate.
A person passes away, and where is he? (vv. 7-10)

Is a human’s life indeed worse than that of a tree? Job did not have knowledge of the Savior; it was hidden from him. He only wanted a peaceful and prosperous life on earth. He wanted to be praised and respected by others, so he worked hard to earn these things. However, his efforts came to nothing; God took them away from him. Job is no longer praised by others, not even by his closest friends. He tried to live a righteous life, but now everyone thinks he has done something wrong to deserve the disasters he received from God. His life is threatened because of illness.

The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds firm to his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” Satan answered the LORD and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has, he will give for his life. (Job 2:4)

Job now feels that death is at his doorstep. And he thinks a man’s life is worse than that of a tree because there is no hope of resurrection.

Water wears away stones,
Its torrents wash away the dust of the earth;
So You destroy a man’s hope.
You forever overpower him and he departs;
You change his appearance and send him away.
His sons achieve honor, but he does not know it;
Or they become insignificant, and he does not perceive it.
However, his body pains him,
And his soul mourns for himself. (vv. 19-22)

Everything Job has worked for is for his life on the earth. Job’s lament is somewhat similar to that of the writer of Ecclesiastes.

“Futility of futilities,” says the Preacher,
“Futility of futilities! All is futility.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2)

God planned the salvation through Jesus Christ before creation. However, the secret is hidden from Job.

Yet there will still be a tenth portion in it, And it will again be subject to burning, Like a terebinth or an oak Whose stump remains when it is cut down. The holy seed is its stump. (Isaiah 6:13)

For a man to resurrect to a new life, he must die. He must take off the old garment and wear a new one. However, most people do not want to take off their old garment.

And no one, after drinking old wine wants new; for he says, ‘The old is fine. (Luke 5:39)

If we had been given a choice, most of us would have chosen a prosperous life on earth over a painful and sad one. However, no one can understand the secret of the kingdom of God without suffering. Why would anyone dream of resurrection if their life on earth is prosperous? Why would you wait for the kingdom of God if you are praised by others, have wealth, happy children, and good health? Many Christians boast that they have prosperity on earth because they are good. However, I saw that in the Reformed Church, they were prosperous and proud, yet were not afraid to cover up their own sins and the sins of others.

God could have let Job live a peaceful and prosperous life. Job could have continued to live an upright and blameless life, but then he would have died without the hope of the kingdom of God. Job could have died without knowing God, but God chose Job before creation and made Him know Him. Life experiences are very important in a Christian’s life.

We have freedom in Jesus Christ because God is faithful. Sufferings in our lives are beneficial, even though we do not like them. They are beneficial because life on earth is only a shadow of the true life in the kingdom of God.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)