Fruitless Faith or Fruit-bearing Faith? (Luke 13:1-9)

The book of Job challenges the simplistic idea that righteousness guarantees blessings and wickedness results in suffering. Instead, the book presents a deeper theodicy that studies how God’s justice works in time.  God is showing he will triumph, and his people need to submit to him as his champion people. Job comes to know God, repents of his self-righteousness, and finds victory by bowing the knee to his redeemer.

Christ echoes this theme in His response to the Siloam tower disaster and the parable of the fig tree.  Christ’s point is that our outward appearance is not the substance of righteousness.  One needs to be oriented and tuned into the Lord’s kingdom, and discerning the Lord’s ways.   Job’s story fits within this broader biblical narrative, calling believers to move beyond a rigid understanding of divine justice.  We are called to self-examination and faithful submission to God’s will rather than be piety police proclaiming why catastrophe strikes everyone else.