One way to understand how God dealt with His children is to study the questions He asked them. They have timeless relevance. Try to answer those questions. You will be able to untie several knots when you are able to answer those questions.
Let us start at the beginning. God asked: “Where are you?” It is a question intended to make man realize that he has sinned and therefore he is hiding.
Then there is the question, “Where is your brother?” God wants us to know that a man has to give account for his brother’s life. It also tells us that God will demand repayment for righteous and innocent blood shed on the land.
Look at how God spoke to Moses: “What is that in your hand?” God used that staff to deliver a nation out of bondage and to split the Red Sea to give those people a mighty deliverance.
When Moses hesitated, God had to ask him: “Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” God wants you to know through this that He is the one who enables you to perform a task He has called you to do.
On another occasion God had to ask Moses: “Is the Lord’s arm too short?” God wants you to know that He can do the seemingly impossible because He is the Lord.
God asked David, “Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in?” God is asking whether your plans are according to His plans? God asked Job, ``Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” Quite often we come to wrong conclusions about God’s dealing with us without knowing anything about His ways. That is sternly rebuked here.
After Isaiah saw the vision of the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, he heard this question: “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” It teaches that special experiences of God demand a going forth from His presence with His message; after having been cleansed by God of your sin.
God had to ask Jonah: “Should I not be concerned about that great city?” It tells us that God’s priority is always the salvation of the lost.
God also questions His people (ref. Haggai) about their priorities in life: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in paneled houses, while this house [the temple of God] remains a ruin?” God is challenging you not to neglect God’s things by busying yourselves with your own things.
God also asked through Prophet Malachi: “Will a man rob God?” God is asking you to give (especially tithes) to God what is His.
Jesus asked many questions. Some significant ones are these: “How many loaves do you have?” What is with you and can be made available to Him, He will multiply.
Another question, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” He wants us to be steadfast in our faith. Another question He asked to those who cried out to Him: “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus is asking you this question today so that you can tell Him your real need.
Maybe the most important question of all: “Who do you say I am?” Your answer to this question determines your eternal destiny!
