Why?
“Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O Watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to You? And why do You not pardon my transgression . . .?” Job 7:20-21 ISR
What have I done – The tower fell. Eighteen died. Did they deserve to die? That’s what the disciples must have thought when Yeshua commented on that tragedy. Rome attacked. Jerusalem fell. Hundreds died. Did they deserve it? Two towers fell. Three thousand died. Did they deserve it? Germany invaded. Twenty million died. Did they deserve it? The question Job asked is the right one. “What have I done to You, O Watcher of men?” I was simply living my life. I was being obedient, charitable, peaceable. Yet look what happened.
Heschel rightly asks, “For can one call our species sane when we remain unruffled in the face of mass murder, the fruit of mendacity, man-made agony without end?”[1]
It is a very short step from the ancient near-Eastern confusion about the rewards of good and evil to our present-day struggles with a good God in an evil world. Millard Erickson isn’t the only theologian to point out that this dilemma is the single greatest cognitive impediment to the claims of Christianity. “What have I done to You?” is the cry of every culture, every age – and nearly every man or woman.
Ma efal lach, says Job. The verb is palal, “to accomplish, to do, to perform.” The man of the ancient near-East would ask precisely this question. In a world where there is no revelation, knowing which acts offend and which do not was nothing but guess work. Job could be simply stating the obvious. He thought he was doing everything right, and yet his punishment is enormous. The verse might also be translated “If I have sinned, what does that do to You?” This question is just as valid. What difference does a sin, even one committed unintentionally, really make to the God of all creation? Is the smallest of mistakes so unpalatable that it requires the death of children, the loss of all possessions, diseased existence and silence? Where is the justice in that? If we commit some great crime, if we are responsible to terror or death, yes, then we might understand God’s wrath. But what if we have no idea what we have done that so displeases Him? What then?
“In light of God’s mysterious dependence upon man, the problem of anthropodicy and theodicy cannot be separated. The cardinal issue, ‘Why does the God of justice and compassion permit evil to persist?’ is bound up with the problem of how man should aid God so that His justice and compassion prevail. . . . God’s response to Job related to the desire to understand the why of evil. His answer to the Prophets related to the issue of how to abolish evil. There is no human solution to God’s problem, and God’s only answer is the promise of messianic redemption.”[2]
“ . . . our concern is not to find an apology for God, but, rather, to put an end to evil, an end to the epilepsy of God’s presence.”[3] Heschel peers into this mystery and provides us with an enormous insight. “God Himself is the quintessential Job. ‘In all their affliction He was afflicted’ (Isaiah 63:9). When man is in distress, there is a cry of anguish in Heaven. . . . Faith is the beginning of compassion, of compassion for God.”[4]
What more is there to say?
Topical Index: theodicy, evil, sin, Job 7:20, what have I done, ma efal lach
Thanks, Skip
Two afternoons ago my son’s school teacher dropped her 13 year old boy off at another school, for a day of fun and games ( like a funfare). A few hours later he was dead – electrocuted when leaning against lamppost it seems.
We and our kids are dumbfounded with sorrow for the loss of a child and friend. Someday in the future I will pass this TW on to his parents and sister.
Why do the wicked prosper? Why do the righteous suffer adversity? – Why, G-d?
All these all questions needing answers. Notice please, I did not say deserving answers or demanding answers. This “blog” is to be continued due to the crush of the clock this a.m. I will return to discuss the Sovereignty of G-d, the free will of man and the cross of Christ- for all three are “in the mix” concerning prosperity and affliction. Job..- had you only known your Redeemer- the ONE who was to come..- Mr. Heshel, -do you know Him? Who is this Man to receive the worship of angels? Job..- bow the knee..
This is the problem that the Psalmist (ch. 73) wrestled with. He ponders about those who commit evil: “They set their mouths against heaven; their tongues swagger through the earth. 10 Therefore his people return here and [thoughtlessly] suck up that whole cup of water. 11 Then they ask, “How does God know? Does the Most High really have knowledge?”
Evil abounded. They evil prosper. This seems to go against God’s covenant promises. But then the Psalmist concludes he was too stupid to understand:
16 When I tried to understand all this, I found it too hard for me – 17 until I went into the sanctuaries of God and grasped what their destiny would be. 18 Indeed, you place them on a slippery slope and make them fall to their ruin. 19 How suddenly they are destroyed, swept away by terrors! 20 They are like a dream when one awakens; Adonai, when you rouse yourself, you will despise their phantoms. 21 When I had a sour attitude and felt stung by pained emotions, 22 I was too stupid to understand; I was like a brute beast with you. 23 Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold my right hand. 24 You will guide me with your advice; and afterwards, you will receive me with honor. 25 Whom do I have in heaven but you? And with you, I lack nothing on earth. 26 My mind and body may fail; but God is the rock for my mind and my portion forever. 27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who adulterously leave you. 28 But for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made Adonai ELOHIM my refuge, so that I can tell of all your works.
When we look at evil and the world, we end up with the wrong conclusions and expectations. It is to God alone we must look in order to understand. Then we can say (Psa. 46), “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we are unafraid, even if the earth gives way, even if the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea.”
therefore -“comfort one another with these words..” Uhh.. where may we find these words? The word(s) of the LORD, our ADONAI. (1 Thessalonians 4.13)
What can we say to the mother of this thirteen year old? Absolutely nothing. It is the time of tears. Weep with them that weep, but know this.. – G-d weeps also.
The shortest verse in our Bible is only two words long, but what depth is found in only two words.(Two is the number of witness..) Yeshua wept. (John 11.35) We have to ask. Why? We always ask why, – don’t we? Why did Yeshua weep? And don’t be thinking either that was the only time He wept. He still weeps, even today- because He is our tender compassionate Good Shepherd and Friend.
“Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” (James 5.11)
Abraham Heschel said: Religion may comfort the afflicted, but it also must afflict the comfortable.
His daughter, Susannah said of her father, “…he responded to the Holocaust not by discussing the problem of evil as an abstract force, but the problem of human suffering and its expression in religion. Human suffering was understood in rabbinic thought as a moment to identify with God’s suffering…
The Holocaust, for him, was not an issue of theodicy, but of anthropodicy; how could God keep faith in us after the atrocities we have committed?”
In all our sorrows, YHWH is with us, there is none more compassionate, merciful and tender-hearted than Him.
HE rejoices over ONE lost sheep that returns. All of His creation is precious to Him, as we see the detailed beauty around us, in the tiniest flower, fish and leaf.
HE destroys and make alive again. What do we understand-some secrets belong to Him.
All we need to comprehend is that He is righteous, and just, above all else.
Thank you, Skip, for this provoking word.