Questions, Questions, Questions – Is it fair?

Dan Harper September 29, 2020 0 0

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Ezekiel 18: 25-32 (NRSV)

25 Yet you say, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? 26 When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. 27 Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. 28 Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. 29 Yet the house of Israel says, “The way of the Lord is unfair.” O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair?

30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord God. Turn, then, and live.

Is it fair? Is it fair that you can be looking away from God, and living only for yourself for all your life, and then turn to God and be reconciled in love? 

Is it fair? Is it fair that you can be looking towards God, and living for others for all your life, and then turn away from God and be cast out from love?

Is it fair? Is it fair when good things happen to bad people?
Is it fair? Is it fair when bad things happen to good people?

The question of fairness is a knotty one, because is supposes that people are either good or bad, it supposes that people are either perfect or not. 

So in reality when we ask the question “Is it fair?” we are really asking why someone else got what we wanted, or similar. 

We live in a world where things happen, good and bad, but also in a world where we are all equally loved by God, our God, who asks each one of us to return that divine love and share it with others. And we all get that wrong and we all get that right. 

So, is it fair? Probably not, but love is more important than fairness as it leads to hope and justice which are more important than balance sheets of behaviour. 

PRAYER:

God
When I ask – “Is it fair?”
Show me your love in acts of 
Hope, justice and love.
Help me understand that love is greater than “fairness.” 
And guide me to help me respond
With hope justice and love
So your Love is known now. 
Amen.