[:en]SCRIPTURE: JOB 21
“Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? They see their children established around them, their offspring before their eyes. Their homes are safe and free from fear; the rod of God is not upon them (Job 21:7-9)
“Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest?” (Job 21-22)
“Have you never questioned those who travel? Have you paid no regard to their accounts – that the evil man is spared from the day of calamity that he is delivered from the day of wrath?” (Job 21:29-30)
The logic of Bildad and Zophar is this: God blesses the righteous but make the wicked suffer. Since you are now suffering, therefore, you are wicked.
But Job questioned their logic. His response was: Many wicked people enjoy greet blessings of long life, peace, safety, riches, success, joy and with lots of descendants. And their death is quick and without pain.
Job friends’ approach was similar to that of Satan. They regarded comfort and wealth were evidence of holiness. But when we see Jesus himself, while on earth, he was not wealthy and he died a terrible death on the cross. Does it mean that Jesus is a wicked person deserved to have such kind of fate?
Today, prosperity gospel has this kind of concept. “If you believe in God and obey Him, He will bless you and protect you from suffering. You will be rich, successful and happy and you can enjoy your life to the fullest. This is false theology with a very shallow view of God and of faith and life. Look at Jesus’ disciples. They followed Jesus and obeyed Him. But their lives are not a bed of roses. In fact, most of them suffered terrible deaths.[:zh]s[:]