ANSWER TO JOB FROM DOUGLAS ADAM' S

HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY

God responds to Job in 129 verses with
nary a word on why Job suffers
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this
that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins
like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou
when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if thou hast understanding.
... Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou
mayest be righteous? ... Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? Or his
tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? ... (JOB 38-41, KJV)
God spoke of everything except what Job wanted to know. Perhaps the
answer provided by the highly intelligent supercomputer is as good as any that
can be offered.
There was a moment's expectant pause whilst slowly came
to life on the front of the console. Lights flashed on and off
experimentally and settled down into a businesslike pattern.
A soft low hum came from the communication channel.
Good morning, said Deep Thought at last.
Er ... Good morning, O Deep Thought, said Loonquawl
nervously, do you have ... er, that is ...
An answer for you? interrupted
majestically. Yes. I have. .....

Deep

Thought

There is really one? breathed Phouchg.

There really is one, confirmed Deep Thought.
To Everything? To the great Question of Life, the Universe
and Everything?
Yes. .....
Forty-two, said Deep Thought, with infinite majesty
and calm.

[From the last part of Chapter 7 of The Hitchhiker's Guide to

the Galaxy.]
T. S. MONG
March 28, 2016