People suffer, and the question invariably comes: “Why?” And people have different opinions. Personally I don’t think it’s a good idea to make assumptions – and my inspiration for this is the book of Job. No one knew what was going on behind the curtain, but they still talked and discussed as if they did.
The same thing is happening with the coronavirus. I’ve heard people say that God is punishing America for some kind of sin. Which one? That probably depends on which sins are most repulsive for the people making the assumption. It’s dangerous to think this way; assigning something that causes great suffering to God can be taken as indictment on His character. I’m reminded of a quote from Barbara Brown Taylor: “…many of the people in need of saving are in churches, and at least part of what they need saving from is the idea that God sees the world the same way they do.” Job had three friends who were like this. Each one had an opinion…
The theological assumptions that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar were making didn’t work in Job’s case. And it’s funny since each of them contain elements of inspiring truth. Eliphaz testified to God’s powers of deliverance (5:19-22). Bildad warned about the dangers of misplaced trust (8:11-15). And Zophar tried to inspire hope for better days ahead (11:15-19). Each of these men had been inspired to say these things for some good reasons, no doubt. But their situation was like someone who’s not a pharmacist trying to make a prescription. The right medicine for one person can be toxic for someone else. That’s why they train people so intensively in pharmacy school. And it’s similar with spiritual things; these three men weren’t qualified to play spiritual doctor with Job in his suffering. Sometimes a person doesn’t need a big philosophy discussion; they just need a friend. So the book of Job teaches us several important things:
God bless you, Andrew McHenry, Pastor First Congregational Church
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Andrew McHenryI am a husband, a Congregational pastor, and a native Kansan currently living in Thermalito, California. In the past I have also been a prison chaplain and a youth pastor. Interests include reading, railroads, prog rock, KU, and the KC Royals. Archives
March 2024
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