Saturday, September 2, 2017

If God's Omniscient, Why Does He Ask Questions?

The Bible says, (Gen.3: 9).And, “ . . . Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why is thy countenance fallen?” (Gen.3: 6 also vs. 9). And, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19: 9, 13).

(Google image. Message on Adam and Eve God asks, "Where are You" © Pastor Vince Gerhardy)

One of the many and some say innumerable attributes of God is his Omniscience. An Attribute is "something that is true about God" or "those virtues or qualities that manifest His nature." Omniscience means all-knowing.

God knows everything from beginning to end. He has all the facts and information about everyone and everything. And God is the only one who is Omniscient.

We aren’t all-knowing, so have to dig for the facts and search for information. Some have more facts and information that others. But none of us have all the facts and know everything.

To get the facts and information we sometimes have to question others that we think have them. And then there are times when we ask questions that we already have the answer to.

A parent or teacher may ask a child a question to which they already know the answer but the question is asked the child in order to get them to confront a bad attitude or deed that they otherwise would have left unnoticed.

But by asking the question things are brought back into the light so the child may readdress them and hopefully correct them.

Asking the question is a way of having the child examine themselves and get to the real and deeper reason why they did what they did.

It’s asked in order to get them to see the motive behind their actions and the state their heart is in. And in this manner they see the flaws in their character and can make an amends.

God knew where Adam was hiding. He questioned him to get him to see where he was really, out of fellowship with God because of sin.

The question was not asked for Adam to give away his location but to confess his spiritual state. The question was asked to get Adam to see where he was as a result of his disobedience.

God knew why Cain was wroth and why his countenance had fallen. But again God was trying to get Cain to see the state he was in and where he was headed if he didn’t repent.

When Elijah ran from Jezebel and hid in the cave on mount Horeb, God asked him “What doest thou here, Elijah?” 
(1 Kings 19: 9, 13). God again wasn’t trying to gather information.

The question was to get Elijah to see where he was, out of the will of God, running in fear when he had Almighty God on his side.

God’s questions are very penetrating and the answers aren’t so obvious and easily acquired, but require a deep searching of the heart to find. And God will keep asking until we answer honestly.

God being Omniscient doesn’t ask questions to get information. He asks those questions we don’t ask ourselves, so we will examine ourselves and inform on ourselves and hear once again the voice of our conscience and arrive at an honest answer in hopes that we’ll repent. 

So,where are you?


Today's Bible verse-

(Psalm 32:5, NIV). "Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And You forgave the guilt of my sin." 

Check out the translation button for your preference.

Today's quotes-

Paul E. Miller- "If God is sovereign, then he is in control of all the details of my life. If he is loving, then he is going to be shaping the details of my life for my good. If he is all-wise, then he's not going to do everything I want because I don't know what I need. If he is patient, then he is going to take time to do all this. When we put all these things together—God's sovereignty, love, wisdom, and patience—we have a divine story."
 (Taken from p. 22 of his book, The Prayer Life).

Mary Southerland - "We keep trying to pay for our sin when all we need to do is accept God’s forgiveness for it and leave it behind. God’s way almost seems too easy, doesn’t it? We ask for His forgiveness, and He gives it. Really? Really!
   We act as if the Holy Spirit needs our help when it comes to dealing with sin. He doesn’t.
   We live in a way that suggests what Jesus did on the cross is not enough. It is more than enough.
Scripture is clear about God’s attitude when one of His children repents and seeks His forgiveness. (Isaiah 1:18) "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be as crimson, they shall be like wool."
   "Father, I am so tired of trying to live each day, carrying the baggage of my past. Please give me the courage to face the sins I have tried so hard to bury. Help me turn away from each one, leaving it in Your hands. Thank You, Lord, for Your grace, Your mercy, Your love, and Your forgiveness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen." 

Today's popular post:

God's Timing, God's Terms, God's Method: Prayer Note #62

Dutch Sheets relates the importance and results of waiting upon the Lord's directions . . . "As we ministered on the streets of the Mardi Gras several years ago, the Lord led us on one occasion, 200 strong, to march silently down the street.
   Waiting upon the Lord will keep us from becoming reactionary to the devil."

List of recent sermons of CFC ministers

CFC Potsdam church has a live service at 10 am Sunday's for shut-ins. If for some reason you can't make it to the church you usually attend, click on the above link, and still get fed!


Upcoming posts-

#139 The Militant Use of Jesus' Name
5th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#140 The Role of the Name
7th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

Protect Your Sabbath Rest
9th- Saturday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

#141 The Militant Use of the Name
12th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel

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