![]() It was against Parliamentary protocol, but that was ignored, quite rightly.īut what support can these MPs give Ukraine, or indeed want to, he might have thought as he looked down at the Commons’ representatives. I know for a fact that this man has wondered for thirty-four years "why.It started with a standing ovation for the Ukrainian ambassador, Vadym Prystaiko, watching on from the public gallery. His nineteen-year old daughter had been killed. ![]() ![]() Imagine this man opening the door of his home to a Missouri State Trooper who broke the news to him that there had been an accident. This man lived a life that was a positive witness to everyone around him. He witnessed to his faith and my great-uncle toned it down. Eventually, his old friend informed him that he could not tolerate that kind of language and kindly explained why. (He remembered him from another time when he was not a Christian) My uncle was not a Christian and used language that "would make a sailor blush." As they were talking my uncle (actually Great-Uncle) began using very "colorful" wording. My uncle, who lived away, was not aware of this. The friend that we were gong to visit was a born-again Christian. Really? Were there not these types of events in other cities? Why not Disney World, which hosts certain events throughout the year? And, I wonder.How many of the poor people who died even knew that these events were happening? If we say, God did this because.then how do we respond to parents who lose their baby at birth? Or in an automobile accident? Are we saying that they deserved it? I remember going with my uncle to visit an old friend of his, whom I knew well. ![]() I even heard it said, that the reason the hurricane hit New Orleans was because there was going to be a homosexual convention in the city. There were many (led by certain TV evangelists) who believed that the hurricane was brought on by the lifestyles of the people. As far as retribution theology, perhaps there has never been a better (for lack of wording) example than Hurricane Katrina. Oh how often have situations only been made worse because of things that were said. We find it very difficult to understand that, more often than not, we really just don't always know what is going on. We often feel we have to offer insight as to why things are the way they are. So many times we find ourselves in situations such as this either in Job's shows or as a friend. (Job 22:6-11) Wow! Each friend has "taken off their gloves." Then, in chapter twenty-two Eliphaz accuses Job of specific injustice, such as oppressing the poor, the widows and the orphans. After a brief testimony by Job as to his faith in the living redeemer who will be his advocate and end his estrangement from God, Eliphaz responds: "Would a wise man answer with empty notions or fill his belly with the hot east wind?" (Job 15:2) Eliphaz is accusing Job of simply "blowing hot air" just as the east wind blows across the Eastern Desert. Eventually, each friend, regardless on their understanding of the situation, "gangs up" on poor 'ole Job. Of course, the reader of the book knows that Job has done nothing wrong. Retribution theology maintains that God punishes the wicked for their evil deeds and rewards the righteous with a long life and prosperity. Each theory, however, regardless of the reasoning is part of a concept known as retribution theology. The first friend to offer his "theological insight" on the reason for Job's suffering is his good buddy, Eliphaz.Įach of the three friends have their own theory as to why bad things are happening to Job. Again, it is made up of dialogue, mostly between Job and his friends. We have to in order to make sense of the remainder of the book. From this point we will cover a lot of ground. From here the friends begin their attempt to make sense of what is happening to their friend. No, he does not curse God, but wishes that he were never born. Job finally speaks and when he does it is nothing short of a pity party. Oh, that doesn't mean that we are not there for the person, it just means that we rely on our physical presence to do what our words sometimes fail to do. Remember from yesterday that I said that silence is sometimes the best when it comes to someone grieving. To the friend's credit Job is the one who initiates conversation. This book could easily be made into a play, because of the way it is written. He said: 'May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, 'A boy is born!'" (Job 3:1-3) The majority of the book of Job is made up of dialogue, and much of that is poetic dialogue. "After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.
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