Plots

            Zornberg’s excerpt about God’s plot was surprising to me. Through the midrash example, it seemed like God was punishing humans before they did anything wrong. Their fate was predetermined, just like the man who had decided before he even walked into the kitchen that he would hand his wife divorce papers. If there is no way to change our fate, if we are just living into God’s plot for us, as the midrash author is starting to imply, what is the point of living?

            I believe this is an overly dark way of viewing the bible. If this is true, what is the point of serving God if there is a predetermined fate? What value is there in following God’s commandments and rules if there are no decisions to be made? All humans die at a certain point, but when it is discussed in this context, it seems particularly dark. It makes humans sound like pawns in God’s plan.

            The main reasoning behind why this would be God’s plot that occurs to me, admittedly not omniscient, is so that the world can function as a natural system. But if this is God’s plot, why do some people suffer? If he has designed everything, why did God not design it to be perfect? This pessimistic view makes it seem like God is a dark force. If he has predetermined not only the pieces on his earth but also each and every decision they will make, he controls all of life. This midrash makes me glad my view of God is less dark.