That’s Not Fair!                                by Carl McMurray

Every parent has heard the title  cry at one time or another if he or she has dealt with more than one child in some situation of punishment or reward. One of the evidences that we are created, in fact, postulated by scriptural apologists, is the sense of right and wrong, fair and unfair that is found within every human being. Sometimes it seems that being created in God’s image with some of His characteristics is difficult to bear when we are faced with that which appears to be unfair. Consider this though.

The book of Job is arguably the oldest book of the Bible and is certainly no quick read or easy to grasp monologue. The man Job loses all his children, his wealth, his health, his wife’s support and even the comfort of friends. We are given the insight that it is the Devil that does this to him, nevertheless, God allows it to happen to one of his most faithful servants. It’s not fair! The book revolves around the struggle to understand that Job has because what has happened to him and his life is just not fair. It doesn’t seem right in any way. Yet, from his struggle to understand and the examining of this trouble in his life from all angles comes one of the most stirring and encouraging books of Scripture. How many have gained insight and encouragement and had their faith strengthened down through the centuries by this man, undergoing “unfair” treatment? What blessing has come forth from that which must have seemed to Job only trial and heartache and pain.

Perhaps not a thousand years after the above scenario with Job, Israel has been created as a nation from the linage of Abraham and has been brought out of Egypt, through the wilderness and is now settled in Canaan. The land of milk and honey has come upon hard times during the time of the judges, no doubt brought on by the people’s repeated rejection of God. Drought has caused some Israelites to migrate to other countries in search of food and water. Among those in exile from Canaan is one woman by the name of Naomi, who goes to live in Moab with her husband and two sons. Her sons come of age there and marry while there in a foreign land, but in a short while that happiness comes to an end as her husband and both sons die in Moab. About that time she hears that the drought has eased in Canaan so she determines to send her two daughter-in-laws home to their families while she goes back to her land. You know the story. One of those daughters has become a believer as well as attached herself to Naomi. She will not be sent home. Ruth determines that she will go to Canaan with her mother-in-law, living where she lives, and dying where she dies. Imagine this Moabite woman, traditionally beautiful, but finding herself linked to this elderly woman she must care for, living in a foreign land, now a widow, and having to make her way in a society she knows nothing about. How fearful and tearful must have been the prayers of Ruth as she tried to figure out how she would get food for the two of them in a culture which would have been suspicious of outsiders. It just wasn’t fair! But, out of this sad account of a widowed foreigner in a strange land comes a beautiful story of concern and respect and love. Ruth manages her “unfair” circumstance with such grace that she is actually brought into the biblical record and genealogy of our Lord. Her story almost literally ends with the proverbial “happily ever after.”  I’m sure Ruth never thought it would happen that way.

And of course, the most unfair circumstance of all comes to mind. Was it fair that Jesus should come to earth as a poor man, in a poor land, dominated by fierce enemies? Was it fair that THE Teacher should be attacked, tricked and trapped by other teachers? Was it fair that the one who helped the sick, the dying, the lame, the blind,  the sorrow stricken, and the fearful... was it fair that no one stood and helped him in his hour of need? Was it fair that he should be tried and found guilty based upon lies and misunderstandings? Was it fair that he should get the treatment of a guilty man, the beatings, the scorn, the railing, the punishment... even though he was innocent? Was it fair that the giver of life should die for those who were/are dead in their own sins? Doesn’t seem to be anything fair about any of this to me. But in those unfair circumstances was born mercy, and grace, and peace. From those unfair events came freedom, forgiveness, and healing.

It appears that from times that are not fair, come opportunities for greatness, great scenes of beauty, strength and power for others, and encouragement for unseen multitudes. It’s all in what we do with the moment. It is all in our attitude and faith. The next time you feel times are not fair, think about Job, Ruth, or Jesus and give yourself the opportunity to be great, trusting that God will turn this time around.