And he, as a rotten thing, consumeth, as a garment that is moth eaten.
Job speaks of himself in the third person, thus forming the transition to the general lot of man (Job 14:1; Psalms 39:11; Hosea 5:12). The sense is, Wilt not thou, in the case of one so consumed and worn out by disease, grant some respite from constant narrowly watching, and from hedging me in with calamities?
Remarks:
(1) It is often our only solace to flee from men, who do not understand us, to our God, who knows all the circumstances of our case, our motives of conduct and our difficulties and trials (Job 13:3).
(2) Human physicians both of body and mind often prove "physicians of no value" (Job 13:4). Like the woman with the issue of blood, the patient, after he has spent his all, and suffered many things of many physicians, is nothing bettered, but rather grows worse (Mark 5:26). But the good Physician knows our several cases intimately, and applies the exactly appropriate remedy to each.
(3) It is our wisdom, when we have nothing to say either kind or useful, to hold our peace (Job 13:5) altogether. Words spoken precipitately, and not strictly in consonance with truth and love, do an immensity of harm.
(4) The end or the intention, however good, will not justify the means which are bad. God does not need our flattery, or our false arguments for the truth (Job 13:7). Nay, He will hold us accountable for all such doings of evil that good my come. Whilst zealous for the cause of God, let us eschew all pious trauds, all unsound arguments, and leave it to God to vindicate His own honour in His own way and in His own good time.
(5) The sincere believer, however sorely tried (Job 13:15) by God, never parts with his trust in God. Like Jesus, amidst afflictions he can still triumphantly cry (Job 13:19), "Who is he that shall condemn me? Behold, the Lord God will help me" (Isaiah 50:9; Romans 8:33-35). Such faith, though exposed to a fiery ordeal for a time, will come forth the brighter and the more unalloyed at the last.
(6) Meanwhile, how it stings the conscience to have the iniquities of youth brought to remembrance! If the young would desire to escape a world of remorse and self-reproach hereafter, they must exercise a jealous watchfulness over their passions and ways now. Above all, they must enlist Almighty strength on their side against temptation, by unceasing prayer. So shall they not be as a moth-eaten garment (Job 13:28) at the last, but as a bride adorned and beautified for her husband.