A Job-like Endurance

I just happened to be reading Job 24 today. The chapter stands out from much of Job's lamentations over his epic sufferings in that he observes that, out of sync with his worldview, evildoers appeared to prosper. In so many words, Job admitted that, though his theology embraced the concept of a sovereign God who ensured justice for all, a lot of bad guys seemed not only to get away with their bad deeds, they got to enjoy what we might call the "lifestyles of the rich and (in)famous" courtesy of their wicked exploitation of folks who were essentially powerless and marginalized. Well, while some do go to jail, or suffer sudden and violent ends, there are still plenty of people who live lavishly at the expense of others' suffering and exploitation, not infrequently the exploitation of their own employees. And who but the most naive of us believe that few, if any, of our political leaders are squeaky clean.

The news headlines this morning tell of the passing of a political leader who was near the top of the heap of American government and power for nearly half a century, but who could hardly have claimed to being "squeaky clean." Senator Ted Kennedy certainly had a few stains on his record. Perhaps one or more of them prevented him from ever being able to report his address as "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue." But, he certainly was politically resilient. And there's no denying he was the darling of a generation or two of liberals who will undoubtedly sing his praises even as they mourn his death.

With the passing of Senator Kennedy I suspect the famous family, which was never far from the spotlight of American politics, and often said to represent an "American dynasty," will now fade rather swiftly to relative obscurity. Certainly, no few school children will wonder what all the fuss is, the Kennedy name meaning little, if anything, to them today, and less tomorrow. The several generations of Kennedys who have strode across the political and social landscape of the nation since the 1940s have endured Job-like tragedies and loss, and, little as I admire their politics, I commend their grace and strength and endurance through the years and the pain, and pray God's peace for them at this time.