19
I replied, "They were both wrong, because trees belong on the land, and waves belong in the sea."
20
"You have given the right answer," he said. "So why can't you see the answer to your own problems?
21
For just as trees have their place on land, and waves have their place in the sea, so the people of this world can understand only what goes on in this world, and only heavenly beings can understand what goes on in heaven."
1
22
"Please tell me, sir," I asked, "why then was I given the ability to understand anything?
23
I am not interested in asking questions about what goes on in the heavens; I am only concerned about things that go on around us. Why has God allowed Israel to be disgraced by foreign nations? Why has he let the nation he loves be handed over to the power of godless nations? Why do the Law and the covenant that were given to our ancestors mean nothing any more?
24
Why do we die as quickly as insects? Why is our life shorter than a breath? Why does God think us unworthy of his mercy?
25
Why doesn't God do something to help his own people? These are the questions that I want to ask."
26
Uriel answered, "If you live long enough, you will be surprised at what you will see, because this age is rapidly passing away.
27
This age is so full of misery and imperfection that it cannot hold all the blessings that God has promised the righteous in the time to come.
28
The evil about which you have asked me has already been planted, but the time for its harvesting has not yet arrived.
29
This evil must be harvested, and this world where it was planted must be removed, before the new age where the good is to be planted can appear.