Monday: God’s Question
After what must have seemed to Job like a very long silence, God finally speaks to him, even if what He first said might not have been what Job wanted to hear.
Image © Mark Lawrence from GoodSalt.com
What was the first question that God asked Job, and what was implied in that question? Job 38:2.
All through the Bible we find God asking humans questions. This is not because He doesn’t know the answers already. Instead, as a good teacher often does, God asks questions because they are an effective way to get us to think about our situation, to make us confront ourselves, to help us work through issues and come to the proper conclusions. The questions, then, that God asks are not to teach the Lord something that He didn’t already understand. Rather, they are often asked in order to help people learn things that perhaps they needed to understand better. God’s questions are a rhetorical device to help reach people with truth.
Read the following questions from God. What do you think God’s purpose was in asking those questions? What point was He making?
Gen. 3:11 “And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?”
Gen. 4:9 “And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?”
1 Kings 19:9 “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah?”
Acts 9:4 “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
Matt. 16:13 “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”
Job had a lot to say about God, and the Lord obviously wanted him to see that, in fact, there was a lot he didn’t know or understand about his Creator. In many ways, God’s opening question to Job parallels some of the words that these men had said to him, as well (see Job 8:1-2; Job 11:1–3; Job 15:1–3).
| If God were to ask you a question about the state of your life right now, what do you think He would ask, and what would you answer? What do the question and the answer teach you about yourself? |
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I have realized that God is always speaking to His people(us). It is however how well we listen and respond. In speaking to us He doesn't use anything far fetched. He uses what we can connect with, even if we consider Him unfair. It is based upon our interpretation as a result of our previous experience(s) that we draw from to respond.(This is technical as it is based upon our choice(s)). Quite motivating is the fact that God is always with us regardless. If I make My bed in hell He is there (Psalm 139:8), so much to say if He has set an experience for me to be gold tried in the fire, His assurance is there, I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5). After we overcome life is like a whole new world.
Pondering the final question in Monday's lesson helps me to realize that I need to learn, like the apostle Paul, to be content whatever the circumstances. God knows what is best in my life and He is still sovereign. I need to not allow the fact that my life isn't the way I would like it to be to interfere with my peace.
Are you satisfied with your relationship with God? My answer is no. This question helps me to look deep into the secret part of my life. The things I have not shared with anyone.
I learn that spending time in the word and not living the word is a dangerous position to be in. So I have decided to lean on Jesus and to tell Him all about my troubles.
Freinds God is who has made us and not we of ourselves. He knows everything about us. We just need to humble ourselves and come to Him. He said, if you confess your sins he is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins.
I learn to trust God in everything. I cannot do anything without God.Let us keep in mind God's promises. Let keep in mind the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May bless and keep us strong in His words. Jesus loves you
To the question; "If God were to ask you...", I can only say; "IF?! John 16:8, 2 Tim 3:16, Isa 30:21, etc. Are we listening?
I would also point out that God did not respond until Elihu spoke. In the end, God said Job had spoken "right"(Job 42:7). So who is God addressing in His question to Job? Doesn't this response from God speak to all of us? I believe that was His intent, as the One who wishes to speak to every heart in ways that will turn them to Him in faith. Could God be asking us all; "Who are you willing to trust?" (the Creator or one of His rebellious creatures?)
God - "Do you believe it is Me who sustains the whole creation and that i am the one who arranged events to work in your favor to bring you to your present position in response to your prayers?"
Me - "Yes Lord i believe, i thank you and i praise you with my whole heart in the assembly of the upright and i testify that nothing is impossible with you.
God-"Will you then stand up for me and show your company the true Sabbath forcing them to close all their offices on Saturday. Surely you are the only one in this position so if you do not go to work the company will not operate and this will draw attention to you and you must point to Me. I am with you all the way.
Me-"Well...err...but..but..can we do it another way Lord maybe i should go and hold bible studies with different people in their offices then they'd not abhor the Sabbath.
God- "No i want them to make a loss on this day to get their attention to the Me. Obey the commandment and do not go to work I am God and I gave you this job for this purpose."
Some questions are asked to draw out counsel that lies deep within your heart to the surface so that as you see your true standing you may counsel yourself. As for me i need more faith, i still fear man in a higher position at times. Keep me in your prayers please.
Stand up for the Sabbath. God will take care of the rest. I work for a major retai! outfit. I don't do Friday or Saturday. There are people who don't work Sundays. Hey they can count on me for Sundays.
I second you Keren 'stand up for the sabbath'...For me i rather get fired than going to work on saturday. why did God say "REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY??????? He very well that we will reach a point and make His sabbath a working day.
Currently saturday is a working day everywhere unless as an individual you stand up and say NO!...when i get threathened of getting fired if i don not report to work on saturday,I always get comfort on MATTHEW 6:25-34,DO NOT WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW........
The story of Job is a reflection of our lives. In one way or the other we have faced challenges beyond our control and in many times we do not understand why some things happen to our lives as the case of Job.
What should we do during trying times? we should remain faithful to God to the end. (Job 38,39)God is asking many questions to help us understand everything better.we should rely fully on Him since He is the creater and knows our lives most.
Let us not do anything to compromise our faith in God. He is so kind and compassionate,He loves us JUST THE WAY WE ARE. Let us ask for the Holy spirit to always guide us,and when we need anything from Him let us ask it in prayer and believe, Mark 11:25.
Mr Chibwezo, fear not, fot I am with u, so says your Creator. In all these things, we are more than conquerors through Christ, who loved us.
When faithful Joseph joined Potiphar's staff, the household was blessed When Daniel and his friends served in Babylon, Daniel's leadership ability distinguished him from Babylonians. God can do da same for u if u are faithful.
Your company could be more profitable if u keep the Sabbath holy in line with ur conviction. You wil also enjoy a guilt-free relationship with God. We are praying for u brother
Here we are taught of humility. We are only creatures;subjects of the Creator. God always asks these questions to remind us who we are and our position. As we had seen earlier we cannot match God's thinking hence His purposes are mysterious...
Another point is that,"Where is your trust?"the question God can ask.
We have come to understand His existence, but because of difficulties of this world,we tend to have a weakness on trust. We tend to ask questions asto why we suffer despite not doing anything wrong. But God is question is always hard for us to answer