THE LATTER RAIN: Why do good things happen to bad people?

This is part reflection, and part rant. I'm just putting
thoughts down...

There are things going on, in my own life, as well as those
dear to me. Many are trying to survive, emotionally, and
financially, yet, it's increasingly difficult, for working
class people to exist, let alone find advocates, or comfort.

It's hard to endure, when constantly reminded of those
privileged few, who are celebrating, and living lavishly,
in mind-numbing opulence. What is worse, is that some of
the most wealthy people on Earth are exploiting, and stealing
from the poor, while they live lives we cannot fathom!

Why do bad things happen to good people, who only want to
work and feed their families? Why do good things happen to
rotten people, who we watch, as they ruin the world, and
run amok?

Look at Mel Gibson, laughing at those he scorns, without
consequences, because, he is one of the "beautiful people."

D'jew get off on watching Christ getting tortured, Mel?
Is He just another F-'in' Jew, persecuting you?

Like OJ Simpson. He got away...

WHY? WHY?!! WHY??!!!!

The first Biblical book written, (in
our canon) was "Job." Job lived before
the Patriarch Abraham. They were not
Hebrews, but, bedoins from Ur.

He wrote his words before the pyramids were
in Giza, or very near to that time, in ancient
Canaan. His words are deep, even now, full of
mystery, and yet, the book's message is loud and
clear: The patience of the Saints, is taken from
Job's ordeal.

I think, when we pray for wisdom, the LORD
opens up our eyes, and Job springs to life.
He was not only restored, but, well rewarded,
for his long-suffering. His wisdom teaches us
that God is not a man that you can contend with.
God was not made for man.

I pray for my own restoration, like Job's, along with
my fervent desire that good people are spared from
tribulation, and destruction. I pray that those who
have no use for God, or prayer, today, will be blessed
by needing to find God someday.

What is the price of a soul?
Go ask Job.

Excellent organization of the ideas, and vast
philosophy of Job, om various religions can
be found in Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Job

Exegesis

From Wikipedia:
Exegesis largely concerns the question, "Is misfortune always a divine punishment for something?" Job's three friends argued in the affirmative, stating that Job's misfortunes were proof that he had committed some sins for which he was being punished. His friends also advanced the converse position that good fortune is always a divine reward, and that if Job would renounce his supposed sins, he would immediately experience the return of good fortune.

More Wikipedia gems!

In Popular Culture

In South Park episode 506 Cartmanland, Kyle's parents use The Book of Job is used as an explanation to why bad things are happening to him.
In Family Guy an episode features a priest reading the sermon from the Book of Job. God is then seen in the audience and he says 'Man I hate it when they tell this story'

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References

^ Job 1:17, King James Bible
^ Job 1:20-22, King James Bible
^ "Answer to Job" in Psychology and Religion, v.11, Collected Works of C.G. Jung, Princeton. It was first published as "Antwort auf Hiob", Zurich, 1952 and translated into English in 1954, in London.

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External links

Jewish translations:
- Iyov - Job (Judaica Press) translation with Rashi's commentary at Chabad.org
Christian translations:
- Job at The Great Books (New Revised Standard Version)
- Job at Wikisource (Authorised King James Version)
Other translations:
- The Trial of Job (translation as drama with hyperlinked notes)
- The Book Of Job The Musical (translation as musical)
Jewish Cantillations
- Sephardic Cantillations for the Book of Job by David Betesh and the Sephardic Pizmonim Project