In the Book of Job from the Bible, Job is a wealthy man who praises God and gives him sacrifices to try to save his children. He is tested by Satan to see whether he is really God’s follower, or if he just praises God to keep his riches. The way he suffers is similar to how Marjorie Saint Hilaire suffered in Haiti.
First, Job lost everything. His camels and oxen were taken away, and his sheep were burned. Also, his eldest son’s house fell, killing all his children. Then, “the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.’”(pg127) So Satan filled his skin with sores. Although Job’s been through much trauma, he still does not sin or curse God.
In the NY Times article, Saint Hilaire starts off her letter by giving thanks to everyone concerned and acknowledges the ones who are trying to help solve many of the problems the people of Haiti have since the earthquake. She lost her husband in the quake, and even though Job lost his children, they both lost family members that they cared for. She is still suffering now, along with her children. Even with the lack of food she states, “I give glory to God that I am still alive — but I would like to stay that way!”(NYTimes) She has not cursed God, but she praises him for allowing her to live.
Both Job and Saint Hilaire have lost their family and are suffering though very tough times. They praise God no matter what they went through because they still have their lives.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/world/americas/20haiti.html?ref=americas
