Is suffering God’s punishment for sin?
“It’s my observation that those who plow evil and sow trouble reap evil and trouble. One breath from God and they fall apart, one blast of his anger and there’s nothing left of them.” Job 4:8, 9
After Job’s complaint in Chapter 3, Eliphaz is the first of his friends to speak. Chapters 4 and 5 contain his opinion that innocent people prosper while sinful people are punished. By implication, Job, who was definitely not prospering, must have done something wrong. No life encountering such suffering can be innocent, according to Eliphaz.
He begins by acknowledging Job’s former righteousness in caring for the needs of others, but turns it into an accusation for not being stronger in the face of his own troubles. Obviously, Eliphaz lacked empathy or he wouldn’t have so easily discounted the weight of Job’s suffering. He asks Job, “shouldn’t your devout life give you confidence now? Think! Do genuinely innocent people ever lose out in the end?” (The Message)
Sounds like a veiled accusation to me...
And, with obnoxious, condescension Eliphaz adds, “So, what a blessing when God steps in and corrects you! Mind you, don’t despise the discipline of Almighty God! True, he wounds, but he also dresses the wound;the same hand that hurts you, heals you.” In other words, “Don’t be mad at God, He’s doing you a great favor by punishing you!” (The Message)
Not helpful with suffering people...
Job was having none of it. In the following two chapters he said “tell me what I’ve done wrong and I’ll shut up. The truth never hurt anybody. I’ve done nothing wrong...do you think I’m lying to you? My integrity is on the line here...” He’d had enough of Eliphaz so Job turned to God... “God, don’t forget that I’m only a puff of air...even while you’re looking, there’ll be nothing left to look at so I’m not keeping one bit of this quiet, I’m laying it all out on the table; my complaining to high heaven is bitter, but honest. Let up on me, will you? Why don’t you just forgive my sins and start me off with a clean slate? The way things are going, I’ll soon be dead!” (The Message)
When we automatically view trouble as God’s punishment, we are always looking for the crime that precipitated it. And, since it’s from God, we’re supposed to be grateful that God cares enough to keep us on track. It’s bad theology and bad counsel. It only serves to dishearten and anger people. Job is the perfect Example; we know what Eliphaz didn’t...Job’s suffering originated with Satan, not God and...Job wanted to die.
When we observe pain and suffering in others, let’s not be so swift to to suggest God is teaching them something. Remember, sin is ALWAYS the cause of suffering. And, God always punishes sin...It just might not be the sin of the one who’s suffering
Live boldly out there today...
No comments:
Post a Comment