The Real Stumbling Block
“Though he piles up silver like dust and prepares garments as plentiful as the clay, He may prepare it, but the just will wear it and the innocent will divide the silver. Job 27:16-17 NASB
Though – It’s a simple conjunction, ʾim—“if, not, whether, since.” It’s used hundreds of times. Context has to determine the meaning. But no matter which one of the meanings you think fits this speech, Job’s declaration stands in utter opposition to our experience in the world. In this universe, bad guys get away with it. God doesn’t seem to step in and protect the righteous. Holocausts happen. Betrayal occurs. Evil is apparent everywhere. And it isn’t getting better. If anything, we would have to conclude that Os Guinness is correct when he notes that the twentieth century was the bloodiest of all centuries in human history and the trajectory doesn’t seem to have changed. No, Job seems completely out of touch. He might wish that God would step in and make things right, but even his life is a classic example of an unfair world. Job just doesn’t get it. He’s lost in some religious fantasy that is psychologically comforting but totally unrealistic.
Oh, by the way, your life probably reflects the same denial. You probably have plenty of ammunition to add to the “Where’s God?” complaint. I know I do. Job might be right to claim that he hasn’t done anything to deserve this kind of treatment, but that doesn’t seem to make any difference. Yes, his friends were wrong to conclude that he must be a sinner since he appears to be divinely punished. Job is justified to reject this conclusion. But that doesn’t solve the problem, does it? Bad things still happen to good people. Innocent children in the Jakarta slum still get burned with cigarette butts by gang members. Little girls are still sold into prostitution. Evil men still rob others. Entire populations are exterminated because of blind hatred or “religious” intifadas. And God just watches from the sidelines.
I think to myself, “Well, I’m not righteous like Job. I’m a sinner. Sure, I do some good things, but the balance scale isn’t the modus operandi of God’s moral government. I fall short. So do we all, according to Paul.” Is that the answer? We deserve it, so don’t complain and let God do whatever He wants? Just suck it up and endure? Yes, maybe I deserve punishment. I know I’m guilty. But what about those kids or that tribe or the planet itself? Does a good and loving God just step back and let evil reign?
The problem of evil isn’t just a theoretical theological conundrum. It’s very personal. It’s me shouting, “Why did you let this happen?” when I am the victim. It’s me pleading to understand why children aren’t cared for, even by their divine Father. It’s me thinking, “If I had the power, I would fix this,” and realizing that He has the power—and doesn’t fix this. Job is my hero. As my friend Steve Brown once said to me, “I’m sure about God’s omnipotence. I’m just not so sure about His benevolence.” How about you?
Topical Index: though, ‘im, evil, justice, Job 27:16-17
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him; but I WILL argue….”
Ouch!
Think about God‘s incredible restraint! How easy it would be to turn us all into puppets of some sort. Where do you draw the line between helping and enabling ? Just a couple of thoughts, no answers !
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways,” says Adonai. “As high as the sky is above the earth are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9
I can only reconcile that I cannot know His mind or His ways, outside of what He has revealed to me. And amidst the turmoil and strife in both the world and my own daily life, continue to say, “Baruch Hashem!”
Good article and comments. in 2009 I cried out in prayer for answers to the status quo you have described here.. vs knowing that Yeshua’s disciples obeyed His directives to ” go. .proclaim..the kingdom of heaven has drawn near. Heal the sick, clease the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons”…Matt 10.8… “Teach them to guard all that I commanded you …” Matt 28.20.. Acts 6.8, 9.40, 19.12, and more.
Yeshua said He had accomplished His part….
John 17.4, and it is up to us to to the good works He has prepared for us!! John 14.12-13, John 15.
He has the keys to the kingdom for His sons and daughters, and everything we need!!! He has withheld nothing.
It has taken me 9 now ten years to understand this , and finally get moving. Praise His name there are many who did not take so long to learn!
This is meant to encourage and bless you all, I hope it does.
Love and prayers
In spite of my many troubles and life long disappointments I find myself on the opposite spectrum of your friend who made the statement: “I’m sure about God’s omnipotence. I’m just not so sure about His benevolence.” I would reverse it. “I’m am sure of God’s benevolence. I am not so sure about His omnipotence.” In my theology IF He ever had all power He gave it up when He created man with free choice and in so doing He simultaneously solidified His eternal Benevolence towards His creation.
Thank you, Michael. Instead of blaming Him for all our troubles (and thus presuming on the grace that made it possible to even have the troubles), you put the onus squarely back on us, where it belongs. He chose to suffer with us so that we could have the chance to choose to live with Him. Incomprehensible to me.
If Yehovah is in Control… then I’m also not sure of His benevolence.
BUT, if He’s only in Charge (like a father of adult children), and we’re actually the ones in Control (of earth)… then I’m sure it’s our benevolence that’s the problem.
Great point.