Justice, Law, History
Justice and Adversity
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5)
Job 1:8-11,13-22 The Message8 God said to Satan, "Have you noticed my friend Job? There's no one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil." 9-10 Satan retorted, "So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? Why no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can't lose! 11 "But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He'd curse you right to your face, that's what."
Job 1:13-22
The Message13-15 Sometime later, while Job's children were having one of their parties at the home of the oldest son, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing in the field next to us when Sabeans attacked. They stole the animals and killed the field hands. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." 16 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Bolts of lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and fried them—burned them to a crisp. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." 17 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Chaldeans coming from three directions raided the camels and massacred the camel drivers. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." 18-19 While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, "Your children were having a party at the home of the oldest brother when a tornado swept in off the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people, and they died. I'm the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened." 20 Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped: 21 Naked I came from my mother's womb,
naked I'll return to the womb of the earth.
God gives, God takes.
God's name be ever blessed. 22 Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God. For ReflectionHow do you handle suffering? How do you explain suffering under the kingship of a loving God? This is a hard question to answer especially when we see suffering all around us. When we suffer greatly, we question God. Why, we say, why?
There seems to be no answer from Job. But we do know from the taunts of Job's friends that God does not operate through a system of rewards and punishments. Job suffered through no transgression of his own. Likewise, Jesus suffered through no transgression.
Suffering continues to be one of the most mysterious of all human conditions. Perhaps one of the answers is that Job's friends should have given him aid and comfort rather than trying to find the object of blame. Job refused to blame God for his suffering. Instead, he petitioned God to answer him, understand his request, and give him peace.
Perhaps God suffers with us, understands our plight, comforts us, and leads us through our human condition. In our suffering, God is our only hope. PrayPray and let the Holy Spirit guide your life. When you suffer the pain of being human, pray and maintain the hope that our merciful, loving God will make all things right. Pray, "Father, I place my life in your hands." Amen
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