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Ponyexpresso, I think it is more helpful to look at a biblical case (the deaths of Job's ten children Ch. 1 & 2) rather than the case you cite.

I think the same or similar questions arise out of Job's situation, however we have the added advantage of some Divine commentary and revelation not available in the case you cite. I think the insights from Job are applicable.

Some observations:
[1] The death of Job's kids was an evil act of cruelty instigated by Satan using both natural and human agency.

[2] The death of Job's kids at Satan's hands came after Satan asked and received permission from God to harm Job's family and possessions.

[3] Satan acknowledged that God had placed a hedge about Job that protected him.

[4] God granted Satan permission first to harm Job's family and possessions and second his health. God only prevented Satan from killing Job.

[5] On earth Job was given no explanation (or at least no immediate explanation) why these events were happening.

[6] In fact there was a significant heavenly reason for the tests (tests which included the death of his children). Satan had accused God of bribing man to worship him. Satan concluded that if God were to take Job's health and wealth, Job would curse God not worship Him. By the two tests God demonstrated conclusively that it is possible for man to worship God for Who He is and not what he gives. This is a profound theological demonstration.

[7] When God does answer Job at the end of the book, he does not explain why, rather He asks a myriad of questions to focus Job on Who He is.

Dr. Roy Zuck taught the Book of Job to me at Dallas Seminary (incidentally when he taught this his daughter was in a coma following an automobile accident and her prognosis was uncertain). I will never forget his words to us... "If you know Who God is, you do not have to know Why. Nor is God obliged to tell YOU Why. He wants your trust."

I can not answer the Divine motivation in the life and death of these two English girls. Nor can I say why Bruce Morrison, a China misssionary from our church with six kids, was stabbed and killed in a worship service a year ago. I do know his wife Valerie and see her trust and confidence that Bruce's death was no accident and that God has and will be glorified by it.

Ponyexpresso, whatever conclusions you come to regarding the questions you raise, I would you encourage you to filter it through this passage in Job. Note Job's response was worship and trust and in the aftermath of both tests. God himself axcknowledges that Job's response is right on target.

"I can not answer the Divine motivation in the life and death of these two English girls. Nor can I say why Bruce Morrison, a China misssionary from our church with six kids, was stabbed and killed in a worship service a year ago. I do know his wife Valerie and see her trust and confidence that Bruce's death was no accident and that God has and will be glorified by it."

While on vacation recently, I spent time with my wife's brother who is the advanced stages of Lou Gherigs disease. He cannot lift his hands and can only move his fingers ever so slightly, but still retains movement of his neck and is able to communicate. He needs to have assistance in every thing he must do. His 9 year old daughter must assist him in urination as he sits in his wheel chair. Soon enough, he will lose all ability to communicate and then he will die. He has lived with this understanding for the past 4 years.

3 days after our arrival, his 3rd child (he has 5 ranging in age from 22 years to 9 years) was severely burned from a gasoline explosion in a mishap while working on an automobile. Kevin, age 17, currently is in Intensive Care with burns on 30-40% of his body. He had skin grafts over the 3rd degree burns over his abdomen and both arms. He has not been allowed to move his arms or torso for over a week now. He also faces long and difficult physical therapy.

I could go on with the difficulties in my my wife's brother's life, but what I have just explained is enough to rock any man to the core.

The fact remains that my brother-in-law has yet to ask 'Why'!

He with Job will testify from his heart, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him." (Job 13:15).

And finally, he looks to that glorious day when his body will be made whole, or as 1 Corinthians 15:52 declares, "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

Why is this his hope? It is his hope because we serve a Living Savior who has come out of the grave: "For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead." (1 Corinthians 15:16-21).

Just why do we have this hope? Because of Christ's accomplishment on the cross: "When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit" (John 19:30 -literally: 'It is accomplished').

In this, our final praise and thanks giving goes to God who ordained this very sacrifice in this very manner before the foundation of the world: "Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:" (Acts 2:23)

God didn't just 'permit' Christ's sacrifice on the cross, he ordained it to be so. Yet the same verse also testifies that it was evil done 'by wicked hands' who crucified the Savior. Now if God ordained this to be so, how is it said that these men -who ultimately were doing the will of God- are said by Scripture to be 'wicked' for their very act? The fact that I cannot explain this reality does not negate its truthfullness as clearly testified in Scripture!

It all comes around full circle. My brother-in-law holds as his only comfort that he is not his own but belongs body and soul -in life ~and~ in death- to his faithful Savior Jesus Christ. Christ has fully paid for all our sins with his precious blood, and has set us free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over us in such a way that not a hair can fall from our heads without the will of our Father in Heaven: in fact, all things must work together for our salvation. Because we belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures us of eternal life and makes us whole-heartedly willing and ready from now on to live for him. My brother-in-law trusts that God has brought about these events for a specific reason. He is comforted because the Scriptures tell him that these events are for the good of all those who believe in him: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28).

He may not know the reason and God does not ~owe~ him an explanation. Nonetheless, God has assured him that it is for his good!

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing." (Revelation 5:12)

Jean