From Questions to Applications: A Guided Exploration of God's Questions

Why do we see God asking people questions throughout the Bible? In his book "God's Questions, Philip Greenslade argues (under the sub-heading 'GOD WHO ANSWERS BY QUESTIONS) ", It cannot surely be to make up for a lack in His knowledge of the situation. In fact, God asks us questions not to find out what he doesn't know, but to help us discover Him more deeply and to see ourselves in a truer light".

According to an article by CompellingTruth.org, 2011-2021, titled "Why does God Ask Questions? the following reasons were given:

Call to Action
It's far too easy for us to become distracted from our God-given purposes. We may be confident in what God has called us to do, but eventually, the cares of this world drag us away from God's direction. God may ask us questions that function as a call to action that leads us back to His plan for us. In the Bible, this happened many times with the prophets of the Old Testament. In a vision, Isaiah heard God ask, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" This prompted Isaiah to volunteer by saying, "Here I am! Send me" (Isaiah 6:8).
God's questions as a call to action also serve as directives. Jonah's selfishness had taken precedence over his calling, and he was angry because of the grace God had shown the city of Nineveh. God asked Jonah, "Do you do well to be angry?" (Jonah 4:4). Jonah was stubborn, but God gave him a way out by calling him to action through a question. When Elijah ran away from Jezebel, he hid in a cave. God approached him in the shelter and asked, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Starting with this question, God called Elijah out of fear and compelled him to walk into his next mission of anointing new leaders (1 Kings 19:918).
Teach Spiritual Lessons
Questions from God may also instruct and teach us in our spiritual walks. When Jesus was on earth, He frequently asked strategic questions. Jesus's questions helped to reveal Himself as Christ. For example, He asked, "Who do people say that I am?" "But who do you say that I am?" Peter responded, "You are the Christ" (Mark 8:2729). Jesus's questions illuminated individuals' faith. For example, He asked, "Who was it that touched me?" after which He spoke to the woman with the issue of blood who had been healed by touching His garment (Luke 8:4448). And finally, they revealed things that were to comeHis eternal leadership. For example, Jesus asked, "What then is this that is written: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone'?" (Luke 20:17), and after His resurrection, He asked Mary, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?" (John 20:15).
By asking questions that provide an understanding of ourselves and His character, questions that compel us to action or point us to the Scriptures, God is ultimately teaching us spiritual lessons that will aid us in our walk with Him. God's questions are never asked in vain. They serve the eternal purpose of strengthening our spiritual foundation and leading us to Him".
"Why Does God Ask Questions?"

Objectives:

From Questions to Applications: A Guided Exploration of God's Questions is written with the following objectives in mind:
To show how God uses questions not only to reveal His intent and purpose for His children but also to discover how His questions shine a light on our souls and spirit.
To understand that the questions God asked men and women of old are still being asked by Him of our generations today. For example, when God asked Adam, where are you? It is a relationship question between the almighty God and those who believe in Him. Perhaps, we can hear God asking us that same question when straying from where He had intended for us.
To study, reflect and meditate on the inspiration questions' inspirational application and relevance to the reader. How close or far away is your life journey with Him?

Dettagli