(7) В¶ For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. (8) Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; (9) Yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant. (10) But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? (11) As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up: (12) So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep. (13) O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me! (14) If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. (15) Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
There cannot be a question, from this most beautiful and striking passage, but that Job had the clearest apprehensions of a future state. He describes the vegetable production, and, in the instance of a tree cut down, shows that there is yet a principle of life in it. And can it be supposed, (it is as if Job had said) that man, at his dropping into the grave, hath no life, nothing further? But Job riseth to an higher evidence, when he adds a prayer that he might be hid, until the indignation was over past. And then he saith, when the LORD shall call, he will answer. The LORD cannot but have a desire to his own work. These are very strong testimonies in proof of Job's confidence in another state. But oh! how infinitely they fall short of what believers in JESUS are possessed of. Oh! thou precious LORD GOD! it is thou which hast brought life and immortality to light by thy gospel! And, Reader! let me beg of you to read what Paul the apostle delivered to the church of the Thessalonians, by way of animating their minds on this important subject: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 to the end.