God's people frequently ask the question, "Why." In the specific instance in Judges 6:13, Gideon asked the question. The Midianites overcame God's people, and they were very much afraid. They hid themselves in "the dens which are in the mountains, and the caves, and the strongholds." (Judges 6:2) The land was made desolate in times of harvest, and the Israelites lacked the necessities of life.
As Gideon secretly threshed wheat, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "Jehovah is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." (Judges 6:12) In response to the angel's statement, Gideon said, "Oh, my lord, if Jehovah is with us, why then is all this befallen us?" (Judges 6:13) Today, we continue to ask, "Why?" From the sick room, to the cemetery, we continually seek for an answer to this question. Why do people--even the righteous--suffer?
Some suffer as a direct consequence of their own sins.
- This was especially true in the case of the Israelites during the time of Gideon (see Judges 6:1,10).
- The wisdom writer affirmed, "The wicked shall be turned back unto Sheol, even all the nations that forget God." (Psalm 9:17)
- The apostle Paul declared, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." (Galatians 6:7-9)
- Those who participate in permissive sexual activity may be afflicted with social diseases, perhaps fatally so.
- Drunkards, through loss of body coordination and alertness of mind, may injure or kill themselves or others. Organic diseases often result from the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
There are those who suffer as a result of the sins of others.
- While it is true that a child does not inherit the guilt of sin (Ezekiel 18:20), this does not preclude the innocent's suffering the consequence of another's sin. Sin's consequences are sometimes visited upon the third and fourth generations (read Exodus 34:7).
- Many innocent victims have been slaughtered on the highways because of alcoholics who exercised their right to choose to drink and poor judgment and drove while under the influence of alcohol. Children and wives often suffer affliction and poverty because of indolent, alcoholic, or gambling husbands.
Some suffering results because of man's free moral agency. Righteous Able was slain because his brother, Cain, chose to do evil (Genesis 4). Many righteous individuals have suffered because murderers, robbers, and other lawbreakers exercised their freedom to inflict pain and death on others.
Suffering sometimes results simply because we violate the natural laws necessary to maintain an orderly universe. Those who violate nature's laws, either intentionally or unintentionally, must suffer the consequences. If a person accidentally falls from a high cliff, God does not suspend the law of gravity, not even for the righteous.
We must remember that human suffering is an essential part of the ideal environment that enables us to grow stronger in our relationships with God. Chastening, at the moment it occurs, is not pleasant; but it later yields peaceable fruit to those who are exercised thereby (Hebrews 12:6-11; 1 Peter 1:6-9; Romans 8:18).
Sometimes, suffering teaches us some of life's most needed and valuable lessons. Let us remember that it was not on the mountaintop of victory over Jericho that Israel learned some of its most needed lessons, but in the valley of defeat by the city of Ai (cf. Joshua 6-7). We often recognize God's holy will in ways that we find difficult to appreciate.
Some are persecuted simply because they are righteous (1 Peter 4:12-19; cf. Matthew 5:10-12; 2 Timothy 3:12; Hebrews 11:32-37; Revelation 6:9-11; 11:7-12; 12:11; 16:6; 17:6). Many of God's children (i.e., Job, David, Steven, Paul, Timothy, James,) suffered persecution and martyrdom because of their faith in Christ. This illustrates the fact that all suffering does not directly result from sin committed by those who are suffering. Although we may not be able to determine the extent to which Satan acts in the natural world to bring various calamities and evils upon man, we can know that in the past he has so acted; and even now he may act with divinely prescribed limitations.
The suffering that God permits can be used for the benefit of those who experience it or for the benefit of those whose lives it touches.
"And not only so, but we also rejoice in our tribulations: knowing that tribulation worketh stedfastness; and stedfastness, approvedness; and approvedness, hope:" (Romans 5:3-4)
"Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations; knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. And let patience have (its) perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing." (James 1:2-4)
It appears that Satan is an instrument in God's hand and that God will use Satan and allow him to operate until the end of time, when God will cast him into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10).
When we consider the latter end, it helps bring everything into proper perspective (cf. Ecc1esiastes 12:13-14). Present suffering, when laid against the backdrop of eternal glory, fades into nothing.
"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to usward." (Romans 8:18; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1)
When all is considered, the righteous are truly blessed and happy in life and eternity.
Brother Galloway has correctly pointed out some of the answers to the "whys" we often have because of our own struggles. But God's people must also remember that life is a "package deal." In His word, He told us it will "rain on the just and unjust." (Matthew 5:45) God never promised His people they wouldn't have to endure some unpleasant things on the way to achieving their goal of eternal life. We may not always understand the reasons behind our struggles, but we can certainly lessen them if we do not add to them by choosing the pathways of sins instead of staying the course of righteousness. (KMG)