Haiti: Was It God's Curse or Simply a Tragic Event?

It was a week ago that the ground beneath the nation of Haiti began shaking. In a matter of a few seconds, life for millions of Haitians was unalterably changed. Tens of thousands were buried in the rubble of collapsed homes, schools, and businesses. The cries of the injured and the frightened penetrated the air. Children became orphaned. Parents were left without their children. Husbands lost wives; wives lost husbands. The government of Haiti lost its leaders. Many of the United Nations and other relief agencies who were in country before the earthquake perished along with those Haitians they sought to help. A paralyzing panic gripped the nation.

For the past days we have witnessed the stories - some heartwarming, others gut-wrenching - that have come from Haiti. We have seen the mangled bodies pulled from the rubble. We have seen many with crushed bones and deep lacerations that awaited medical attention - which was slow in coming. Perhaps, more will have died because of their injuries and the failure to gain medical attention than those who died in the quake itself.

Many have been critical of the slow response time of the rescue and relief teams. Why should it take so long to get water, food, and medical supplies? Why do so many aid workers seem to be just walking around when the needs are so critical? There are two reasons for the seemed delay. First, the means of getting supplies to the people have been destroyed. The port of Port-au-Prince was destroyed. This was the chief means of receiving supplies. And the airport had only one runway and planes could get in but few were able to leave because fuel was scarce. And many of the roads were severely damaged. The second reason was probably more costly: there was no one to take charge. Haiti's infrastructure was obliterated; her government paralyzed; and the United Nations severely crippled. The United States military stepped in...but it would take days before it would become fully operational. And so many died, and more will die.

I was asked by one of my students: "Max, was this an act of judgment of God." According to some evangelical leaders the answer would be a resounding yes. Pat Robertson's remark that this was judgment because of a pact the people of Haiti had made with the devil two hundred years ago made everyone's newscast. Although this fact has been proven to be historically accurate, I hesitate to made the statement that this is God's judgment because of that pact.

On the other side can we simply say, "Well, this is just an act because we live in a fallen world?" There are some things that happen because we live in a sin-cursed world: cancer, automobile accidents, homicides, hurricanes, and earthquakes. And the Bible predicts that earthquakes will increase in frequency and magnitude as we get nearer the return of Christ. Recently there was a rather strong earthquake off the northern coast of California; and just this week another in Guatemala.

Whether this was an act of God's judgment or simply another tragic event within a sin-cursed world, I will let others argue. But I believe this is another in a long series of foreshadowings of things to come as we draw closer to the return of Christ. It is another "wake-up" call by God to alert us to the sounding of the trumpet. It is another reminder that our time here is brief; we need to make a more diligent effort to reach others with the Gospel.

So I praise God for those who are in Haiti ministering to the intense physical needs of these suffering people. But I am grateful for those who are there ministering as well to their spiritual suffering pointing them to Jesus.

It is time to wake up, Church, because our Redemption will soon be here.