Asking G-D the Right Questions

There are many passages in the Scriptures that we have read dozens of times only to discover, when rereading a passage, a different idea, thought, or reality that we never noticed before. I love when that happens! It reminds me that the Word of G-D is not simply a book we read to learn what happened thousands of years ago. It is the living record of G-D’s relationship with humanity, and there is always something more for us to consider as we continue to study.

One of those passages is found in Genesis 18, where Abraham has a conversation with G-D about the coming judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. Most of us know the story. We remember the destruction of the cities, Lot’s escape, Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt, and Abraham pleading with G-D to spare the cities for the sake of the righteous. But have we ever stopped to consider what this conversation teaches us about our own relationship with G-D and the way we should view the people around us?

I believe there are several important lessons in this passage that we should not overlook. In Genesis 18:23, Abraham approaches G-D and asks: “Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”

Think about that question for a moment. Abraham is speaking with the Creator of the universe, the One who called him out of his homeland, established a covenant with him, and promised that through his descendants all the families of the earth would be blessed. Yet, Abraham does not simply remain silent and accept what he hears. He responds to G-D’s telling him that He was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah by asking questions.

As the conversation continues, Abraham asks whether G-D would spare the city if fifty righteous people were found there. When G-D agrees, Abraham continues. What about forty-five? Forty? Thirty? Twenty? Finally, Abraham asks whether G-D would spare the city for the sake of ten righteous people. Each time, G-D responds with patience and answers Abraham’s question. What does this teach us?

First, our relationship with G-D is not supposed to be merely a religious routine. While liturgical prayers can be both meaningful and powerful, our relationship with G-D must go beyond the words to beautiful prayers handed down to us for thousands of years. Abraham was not simply following a list of rules or repeating words he had memorized. He was walking in a relationship with the One who had called him. In the same way our prayers should also be personal, honest, directed, not only asking for G-D to act on our behalf but also our prayers can and should contain questions.

We sometimes imagine that having faith means never asking questions. We may think that if we truly trust G-D, we should never struggle to understand what He is doing. But Scripture gives us example after example of faithful people bringing their questions before Him.

Abraham did not ask his questions to G-D because he believed he knew more than G-D. He asked because he knew the character of the G-D with whom he was speaking. There is a difference between questioning G-D because we refuse to trust Him and bringing our questions to Him because we want to understand His ways more fully.

We may not always receive the answers we want, and we must be careful not to assume that G-D owes us an explanation for everything He does. But we can bring our concerns, our confusion, and even our grief before Him. The Psalms are filled with people doing exactly that.

The question is not whether we will ever have questions. The question is whether we will bring those questions into our relationship with G-D. Throughout the Scriptures G-D welcomes those who question Him within their faith. As we read in Genesis 18 Abraham questions G-D’s plans. In the Psalms David questions G-D over and over. In Exodus 3 when Moses approaches the burning bush we read these words as G-D calls Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. 

Exodus 3:10 Come now, I will send you to Pharaoh, so that you may bring My people Bnei-Yisrael out from Egypt.”

These powerful words were spoken by G-D from a miraculous bush that was on fire yet not being consumed. Yet, Moses’ response was to question G-D.

Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring Bnei-Yisrael out of Egypt?”

G-D patiently answers Moses assuring Moses that He would be with him.

Exodus 3:12 So He said, “I will surely be with you. So that will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you. When you have brought the people out of Egypt: you will worship God on this mountain.”

Moses then responds to G-D patient assurance by saying:

Exodus 3:13 But Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to Bnei-Yisrael and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is His Name?’ What should I say to them?” 

In these four verses we learn a valuable lesson concerning the questions that we ask of G-D which often gets overlooked but is immensely important. Because in these four verses we find the answer to how we as G-D’s people should ask questions of or to G-D. When you see it, it should set you free to question G-D and it may even change your prayer life forever.

Look at Moses’ question in verse 11 “Who and I?” This question focuses on Moses, his weaknesses, his understanding, his power, his abilities, and even his value. 

Now look at Moses’ question in verse 13 “Who are you?” In two verses Moses transitioned his heart and his questions from “who and I?” to “who are you?” This change is the key whether we are questioning G-D from a place of doubt or whether we are questioning G-D from a place of faith.

In verse 11 Moses is questioning G-D “who and I?” from a place of doubt because he knows who he is, his failures, his doubts, his weaknesses, and his fears. But in verse 13 Moses asks “Who are You?” This is no longer from a place of doubt and unbelief, instead it is a question from a place of trust and a desire to know the name or character of G-D. Now think back to Abraham’s dialogue with G-D in Genesis 18, Abraham’s questions weren’t about Abraham; each question was asking about G-D’s character, or nature, or name. With each question, from what if there are 50, until what if there are 10 Abraham was asking G-D “who are You? G-D answers each question with I am the G-D who will relent for 50, 40, 30,10 righteous souls. In other words, with each question Abraham asked “Who are you?” and each time G-D answered, I am the G-D of grace and mercy.

So when we are challenged by our calling, by our circumstances, by our understanding of G-D’s word to us. We should always question G-D, but we should not do so by asking “Who and I?” questions. We should always ask “Who are You?” questions.

The amazing thing is when we ask those “Who are You?” questions, G-D will always answer us, enlighten us to a little more of who he is, and also strengthen our faith. This change of question transfers our thoughts and faith from dependence on ourselves, our abilities and values, to thoughts and faith in G-D’s sovereignty, power, and promises.