Why do good people suffer?
Hebrew Scripture promises salvation for he who is meek and humble, regardless of his race and/or creed. As
is written: “BUT THE MEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH; and shall delight themselves in the
abundance of peace”- Psalm 37:11. Unfortunately, it often happens that only extreme suffering can
successfully turn a man into a humble person, thereby restoring unto him the real humanity originally given
to mankind by his Creator.
In fact, the more pleased God is with a man, the more He crushes him with suffering, for Scripture says,
“THE LORD WAS GREATLY PLEASED WITH [HIM, HENCE] HE CRUSHED HIM BY DISEASE
(Isaiah 53:10). Now, you might think that this is so, even if the man did not accept his suffering with love.
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Therefore the verse goes on to say, “To see if he regarded himself as an offering for guilt” (ibid).
Thus, chastisements are good for the believer, and that’s why Scripture teaches that three great treasures
(Torah, the Land of Canaan, and Life in the World to come) were bestowed upon Israel as a result of
chastisements and suffering. And what is the proof for the Torah? The verse that goes on to say: “BLESSED
IS THE MAN WHOM THOU CHASTENEST, O Lord, AND [THEREBY] TEACHEST HIM THY
TORAH”- Psalm 94:12.
And the proof for the land of Canaan? The verse that says: “As a man chasteneth his son, so THE LORD
THY GOD CHASTENETH THEE...”- Deut. 8:5. And what comes immediately next? “For THE LORD THY
GOD BRINGETH THEE INTO A GOOD LAND [THE LAND OF CANAAN]...”- Deut. 8:7.
And the proof for Life everlasting? The verse that goes on to say: “For the commandment is a lamp, and the
Law is light; and REPROOFS OF INSTRUCTION ARE THE WAY OF LIFE [EVERLASTING]”- Proverbs
6:23.
God isn't racist!
Is God [blessed be He] morally flawed? Is He a racist? Will the infinite being act like a flawed and sinful
human being [in a capricious fashion], arbitrary preferring one race above another? One skin color above
another? One country above another? One culture above another? Or is He rather the perfect Judge of the
Universe- A being whose character is above reproach, judging everyone in a fair and impartial manner;
rewarding each individual according to his moral worth, regardless of race, sex, language, culture, or skin
color? As it is written: “For He is no man...”- 1 Samuel 15:29; “God is no man...”- Numbers 23:19; "[He is]
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The Rock, His work is perfect; For all his ways are justice: A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, Just
and right is He"- Deut. 32:4. And also says in another place: "for them that honour me I will honour, and they
that despise me shall be lightly esteemed"- 1 Samuel 2:30, KJV
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