LIFE SCRIPTS

One person dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, well nourished in body, bones rich with marrow. Another dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good. Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both.
Job 21:23‭-‬26 NIV

Here in this passage, Job contrasts the life of a person who’s lived well and enjoyed life to another who has died in bitterness. He states that both their bodies will be food for worms. The end is the same, death, the universal equalizer. However, this entire chapter covers Jobs response to his friends. In the mind of his friends, calamity only befalls the wicked and not the pure in heart. In Jobs response, he sought to make it clear that it’s not necessarily so. The chapter paints a very comfy picture of the life of wicked people. They enjoy the tastiest of food, entertainment, glamour, fame, wealth, power and the fine things in life. However, their destination is the grave. The grave swallows them up even when they are full of energy with no regard for God. Infact, Job puts it more clearly, ‘…(they go to the grave) well nourished in body, bones rich with marrow’ (verse 24). Aren’t these the same scenes playing in our society? People who acquired wealth illegally seem to have their portion of fame, power, comfort and joy? However, Job contrasts the death of the wicked to the death of one who’s not enjoyed life and us embittered. In verse 26, he says that they both lay side by side in the grave with their bodies covered with worms and dust. Job paints to us the truly graphic picture of bitterness and it’s genesis: injustice and unfairness. Those who do wrong seem to flourish and enjoy life while those who do right seem to have their bowl of suffering always next to them. But is it God’s intention that we live a bitter life? Not at all. Even as we seek justice on those who do wrong, we must remember that God is the Judge…not us. Unfair circumstances will continue to exist in the world. However, we must harness the opportunities they create to represent God and to be agents of change. We must remember not to be embittered by injustice but be inspired all the more to serve others in order to bring our society closer to justice. A story is illustrated by the four major transport arteries in the city of Nairobi…Muthaiga is separated from Mathare along Thika road; Lavington is separated from Kibra along Ngong road; Loresho is separated from Kangemi along Waiyaki way; and Mukuru is separated from South C along Mombasa road. Though some wealthy people have acquired their riches legally, the story of inequality literally across the road in Kenya is a story of injustice and unfairness. We have a choice as the offended…to let the roots of bitterness against the wealthy who are wicked take root in our hearts or to stand up and hold the hands of those disadvantaged because of inequality. As this passage states, both the bitter and those who are full of life will retire to the ground. So instead, let’s choose to live our lives pulling those who might be captives of bitterness to become people who can lead a decent life.