Did God Murder Ten Children?

This accusation was recently illustrated to me, in of all places; during a scene in the show, Daredevil. In this scene, Daredevil (a vigilante for justice) is angry at God and challenging a woman (who is a Nun) to justify God’s treatment of Job. Daredevil contends Job was a faithful servant of God and had been blessed with great wealth. Job had land, great flocks, and ten sons. Daredevil then states: And how did God reward Job for his faith? By taking everything from him, murdering all ten of his sons, and then inflicting him with horrible sores. I felt this question; “did God Murder Ten Children?” had to be untrue!

Something else that struck me was the Nun’s response; nothing! She didn’t respond at all. Since a woman of faith had no response some might assume the charge to be true. That left me wondering, would God do something like that? What’s worse; millions have seen this film and anyone that didn’t know the entire story (or it’s meaning) would think the same thing; why would God treat one of his faithful servants like that? I knew there had to be more to this story.

Christians Must Understand Bible Stories

Realizing I didn’t know the story very well myself, I went where we all should go for truth; The Word, The Bible. The story seemed pretty disturbing to me on the surface and would be difficult to explain or defend to un-believers. Our Pastor, Brother Bobby has preached many times that we must be able to defend our faith. We need to have understanding of difficult, sometimes contentious Bible stories.

I decided to read the book of Job and comprehend it with only the help of the Holy Spirit and have no outside influence. (other than the vague notions I already had)

First, I learned that Job is a beautifully written book which reads like poetry. Second, I learned, while it was true that Job was a very faithful and rich man. He did not have ten sons. He had seven sons and three daughters. I also learned that Satan challenged God contending that it was easy for Job to be faithful because God had insulated Job and blessed him with riches. So, God allowed Satan to remove all Job’s riches and blessings but not physically harm him.

Job was soon informed by four messengers that all his livestock, crops, and servants had been destroyed. The last messenger informed him that all his children had also been killed in a windstorm. So the question “did God murder ten children?” is answered; No, Satan murdered them.

But, even though Job was devastated, he still remained faithful. Satan then returned to God contending that Job would certainly not be faithful if he were harmed personally. God then told Satan that Job “was in his hands” but he could not kill him. Satan then afflicted Job with painful sores all over his body.

Courtroom Drama

” Did God Murder ten children” is not the focus of the trial, but from here the story of Job does play out like a courtroom drama for me. Job is pleading his case to God and also to his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. These three friends contend that he must have committed sins that have brought all these troubles upon him. Both sides present their case most eloquently.

Example; Job 6:1-4. Job says: “If only my anguish could be weighed
    and all my misery be placed on the scales!
 It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas—
    no wonder my words have been impetuous.
 The arrows of the Almighty are in me,
    my spirit drinks in their poison;
    God’s terrors are marshaled against me.”

The prosecution (Job’s three friends) take turns accusing him and or his children of some wrongdoing or sin using beautifully formed (although unsubstantiated) arguments…..Afterwards, a young man, Elihu takes the stand and delivers what I can only describe as an eloquent “beat down” of the elders arguments.

God’s Verdict

Then God shows up! and speaking from a whirlwind. He delivers his verdict to the defense as well as the prosecution with a beautiful poetic message that only our creator could have delivered, summarized as: “I Am” in charge. I, God the creator of all things. Who are you to question Me. If you could hear it “And I felt like I was hearing it” you would understand why Job, then decides to sincerely apologize for questioning God. Then God berates Job’s friends, instructing them to make payment to Job for their accusations against him. God then restores all Job’s wealth, even doubling his assets and again giving him 7 sons and 3 daughters who were the fairest in all the land.

God’s Message

“Did God murder ten children?” is a ridiculous question because God is perfect and cannot sin. God is in charge, has a plan, and He does everything for a reason, even though we may not understand at the time. God knew exactly what he was doing when Satan came to him and challenged him. Satan foolishly thought he could get the better of God. He wanted to show all earth and all spirits that being faithful to God offered no benefit, only heartbreak and hardship. Satan also believed that anyone would lose their faith when confronted with enough pain.

But, God knew Job well and knew his faith would never fail. God allowed the story of Job to happen just the way it happened in order to show all Heaven and Earth; First, that He is God and He is in charge, not Satan. Second, that we will have trials and troubles on earth, Third, we must stand firm and keep our faith especially in troubled times. Our rewards will come, if not during our very short time on earth, then during an eternity of Heaven. Job says in Job 1:21, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

In this case God decided to restore, even double Job’s possessions and again gave him; 7 sons and 3 daughters, the fairest in the land. And I can promise you Job’s rewards in Heaven are glorious! It will be wonderful to see…..

It’s Your Choice

If you believe your life on earth serving man is all you have, then you cannot understand the story of Job because the Holy Spirit (who gives understanding) is not inside you. God wants you to serve Him (instead of man) It’s your choice, but you cannot serve both. You must choose only one: your life on earth which lasts no longer than a wisp of vapor or a beautiful eternity in Heaven. John 3:16

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