Why Harold Camping was Not Crazy

May 21, 2011 has come and gone and the Rapture has not happened. Jokes about Camping's failed prediction abounds. Cathy Lynn Grossman listed some of them in her USA TODAY article May 21st is 'Apocalypse No,' a day of jokes not Judgment . One from George Takei of Star Trek: "Today's Rapture postponed as Jesus awaits announcement of surprise guest on final Oprah. Savior "hopeful" but "okay with it" if not." Should Camping be the brunt of jokes? Is he crazy?

Camping, 89, has been actively involved in Christian ministry for over 50 years and his campaign to alert people of the Second Coming of Christ cost a lot of money. Is this proof that Harold is odd and not a servant of God? Surveying the Bible, God has called his servants to do odd things.

The prophet Ezekiel was called to lie on his left side for 390 days and then lie on his right side for 40 days; cooking his bread over cow dung (Ezekiel 4:1-17).

The prophet Hosea was called to marry a harlot. Because of her prostitution, Gomer, the prophet's wife, was unfaithful to the marriage. Hosea was called to reconcile after her marital unfaithfulness (Hosea 1-3). This was to illustrate God's relationship with Israel. He forgives them even though the nation is unfaithful to the covenant they have with God.

Job was a very righteous man and because of his righteousness, Satan challenged God and wagered that if he afflicted God's servant, Job would curse God and renounce his faith. Satan killed Job's children, took away his wealth and caused Job severe health problems. Job's wife, not wanting to see her husband suffer anymore, asked Job to curse God and die. He would not and remained faithful (Job 1-2, 38-42).

Even though the past events have made Camping look like an odd-ball to the public, his calling is not too different from those in the Bible who were also called to experience strange things. For all the jokes poked at Camping's way, I am sure, like his biblical counterparts, that some good has come out of all this. He may even be right one of these days.