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Discovering the Questions God Asks
Rather than always seeking answers from God, have you ever thought about all the questions God asks us? If God knows everything, then why would he ever ask questions? Israel Wayne’s thought-provoking book Questions God Asks
Questions God Asks explores questions taken directly from the Bible, such as “Who are these men with you?” and “Do you have a right to be angry?” By taking a deeper look at these questions, we learn more about the omnipotent, infinite God, and more about ourselves in the process. Israel explains:
“We don’t understand God very well. We don’t even understand ourselves. God, in contrast, knows the very secrets of our hearts (Ps. 44:21). That means He knows more about who we are than we are capable of knowing. Desires and motives in our hearts which are hidden to our view, are exposed before His piercing gaze. That is why God asks questions. It couldn’t possibly be for His benefit. His probing inquiries must be to assist us. ‘The LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts’ (1 Chron. 28:9)” (p. 7-8).
In addition to exploring the omnipresence of God, other topics covered in this book include relationships, anger, faith, service, marriage, and parenting. Using God’s questioning of men in the Bible as a catalyst, the author engages the reader to look at his own life and examine these questions deeper. For example, in discussing the meaning behind God’s question to Cain about where his brother is, Wayne makes the point that in the same way God is asking Cain about his brother, he is also asking about “the condition of our heart as it relates to others.” This and other chapters are short, but the points are made clear, and the applicability to our own lives is easy to find.
Throughout the Bible, God questions men such as Adam, Cain, Moses, and David. How are these questions relevant to our lives today? Israel Wayne provides anecdotes and examples, accompanied by numerous references to Scripture, to demonstrate how these questions play out in our daily lives. His writing style is conversational and engaging, and I find Questions God Asks to be entertaining, encouraging, and deeply challenging.
If you are searching for answers in your life, you just might find them in the questions.
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It’s good to keep asking questions. One question that was answered for me in recent years is that God knows me inside and out. He knows my history, my feelings, how I deal with things, why I react the way I do. Previously I thought of God as looking down and judging when I know I didn’t act or think in the best way. But he is an understanding Father. He understands me. That was a revelation for me!