Assemble, Avengers! We have been tasked with recounting the tragedy of Job from the Bible. In our own superhero way, of course.
In the land of Uz, Job was a righteous man who feared God and shunned evil. He had a good life with his wife and children, numerous livestock and wealth. But Satan, the ultimate villain, challenged God, claiming that Job’s righteousness was only because he had been blessed with a comfortable life.
God gave Satan permission to test Job’s faith, but not to take his life. Satan promptly destroyed everything Job had, from his animals to his children.
Job did not curse God, but instead remained faithful, stating, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
In the midst of Job’s suffering, his friends arrived, and rather than offering comfort, they declared that Job must have sinned against God to deserve such misfortune. However, Job knew better.
As God speaks to Job, He reveals to him that He is far greater than any human understanding. Job repents and is blessed with twice as much as he had before, including ten more children.
The Avengers are no strangers to battles and tests of their own faith. Iron Man’s wealth and technology, Captain America’s righteousness and integrity, Thor’s godly status, and the Hulk’s strength are all tokens they could use to support Satan’s theory. But like Job, they know that their power is not what defines them, but their character and choices.
In fact, in the words of Tony Stark, “I’m not afraid to take a stand. Everybody come take my hand. We’ll stand together, raise our hands up in the air, and show that we are never scared. I’m ma-a-a-a-an, I’m ma-a-a-a-an.”
Our superhero counterparts would do well to remember the lessons of Job, living a life guided by faith and not material possessions. After all, without our own trials, how could we aspire to be Earth’s Mightiest Heroes?
