So - storying Part 2

 I've been experimenting recently with the story of Job. You remember him: famous for suffering. Except that's really the least of his worries and of the story. The real issue with Job is, he was a "Righteous" sufferer, i.e., he had every right to expect that good behavior would result in an unbroken sequence of divine protection and blessing. Both he and everyone he knew thought the reverse was also true. Anyone who suffers is simply suffering the natural, expected and correct consequences of their bad behavior, even if secretly bad. But Job's righteousness brings suffering, instead. Don't you just hate it when a great theory runs smack into reality? Ouch!
   Now, all the action happens early. God sets up Job for satans pot shots, which he experiences on two occasions. As a result, Job loses everything, except his wife and friends, whose advice makes you wonder if he might rather have lost them (har har - just kidding!). God's dialogue with satan reveals the real issue: satan accuses God of buying off Job's affections, that God isn't really worthy of love and obedience. Job's refusal to curse God vindicates Him and presumably shames satan.
   Most of the book (Job 3-37) is Job's discussion of his experience vs. their legalistic doctrine. The driving refrain there is, "how I wish I could talk to God directly!", because, of course, Job knows nothing of the events in chapters 1-2. He's just like us: we suffer and demand to know "why?". But would that really have helped? In the end, God appears but doesn't answer any questions. God only reveals his power and knowledge. He is worthy of Job's (and our) faith, whether we know all that He knows or not.
   Except for the appearance of God and His restoration of all Job's blessings, this is pretty true to life. Readers have the benefit of knowing what Job didn't, the events in heaven. Christians have the benefit of knowing much more and of having what Job desired, an Advocate.
   But what's the benefit to the Karamojong? It's a riddle. Not just suffering, which heightens the senses and sharpens the focus, but all of life. Especially if you have a legalistic worldview (as Job did and the Karamojong do). Nothing highlights the basically lawless nature of life than strict adherence to "the rules" (laws of physics and patterns of life, notwithstanding). And Christ is the answer, both now, when things are at their most "lawless" and in the future, when His law will be universal. Job raises the question that we all try to avoid with our particular brands of 'law' and the only answer is Jesus. Cool, eh?