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Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question (Luke 22:34-35, NIV).
I’ve listened to many people question God.
Citing evil in the world, the actions of Christians, natural disasters, and personal pain, we might feel justified in challenging God’s goodness. We ask, “God, can you explain Yourself?”
But what happens when God turns the table and asks us a few questions? What would we think after an “expressing frustration with God” moment He appears and says, “I’ll answer your question, but first let me ask you a few questions.”
I’d quickly shut up. How about you?
In Matthew 22, after a day of questioning from the Sadducees, the Pharisees, and the Herodians, Jesus begins asking His adversaries questions. And Matthew records . . .
And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions (Matthew 22:46, ESV).
The Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Herodians quickly shut up too!
God has answers, but since questions can inherently challenge character and actions and often imply a moral superiority of the person asking the question, God doesn’t answer.
Questioning God requires the apex of chutzpah, as very limited creatures challenge an infinite and holy God. NFL fans, from the security of their living room on Sunday, often exhibit this behavior as armchair quarterbacks.
But we would look stupid if a visage of Tom Brady suddenly appeared on the TV asking us to explain a “red-zone ‘iso’ slant to Rob Gronkowski.”
As dummkopfs, we’d turn off the TV!
In the Book of Job, we find Job questioning God about His actions. And yes, God did answer . . .
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me” (Job 38:1-3).
It’s easy to ask the questions, but more difficult looking at God while doing it. God doesn’t often appear to appease skepticism, but it’s promised in the Bible that sometime soon, God will reveal Himself.
We will have a face-to-face encounter.
God will ask us about our lusts, hidden agendas, anger, and every detail of our actions and thoughts for the entirety of our lives.
At that time, we will agree with Job as he proclaimed . . .
My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:5-6, NLT).
Describing this ultimate revealing of God’s presence to our questions, Paul writes, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we will see face to face. Now I know in part but then I shall fully know, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV).
Finally, in the end, all questions are answered!