The Book of Job narrows the story of a man named Job. In the story Job is a man like no other in earth, irreproachable and honest who devotes his entirely life to serve and does as God says; “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God, and turned away from evil.” (A, 126)
Though Job is a blameless man and has never sin, God allows him to suffer and to endure a great deal of sorrows; “And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power; only spare his life.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord, and afflicted Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” (A, 127)
Job knows deep in his heart he has never done anything against God’s will to justify his mistreatment by God. He refuses to believe he has done something wrong to deserve his punishment; “If I have made gold my trust, or called fine gold my confidence; if I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, […] and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my mouth has kissed my hand; this also should be an iniquity to be punished by the judges, for I should have been false to God above.” (A, 134)
Birtukan Mideksa, a leader and activist in Ethiopia, finds herself in a similar position as Job. She is sentenced to life in prison by the authorities of her country, but she refuses to believe and to acknowledge any wrong doing, because she knows deed in her heart she has not done anything wrong and the accusations are untrue; “She was imprisoned solely for the peaceful exercise of her right to freedom of expression and association,” said Michelle Kagari, the organization’s deputy Africa director.” (The New York Times)
The Associated Press. “Senior Opposition Leader in Ethiopia Is Released From Prison” The New York Times. Web October 6, 2010. <http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/world/africa/07ethiopia.html?_r=1&ref=africa>
