Over the years I have heard people say something to the effect of, "When I get to heaven I have some questions to ask God"--almost to challenge God to explain Himself. Isn't it ironic to be bold or even proud over our own ignorance? Praise the LORD He is pleased to hear our prayers and answer questions we may have right now, but let's not for a moment feel He is under any obligation to respond to our requests. Are not His ways higher than ours? As a passage in the book of Joshua reveals, because of our severely limited perspective and understanding we can ask the wrong questions.
Joshua had been called by God to be strong and courageous as He obediently led the children of Israel over Jordan and into the promised land. When Joshua approached the stronghold of Jericho he was met by an unexpected and armed "man" in Joshua 5:13-15: "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" 14 So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?" 15 Then the Commander of the LORD'S army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so."
Upon seeing this armed Man Joshua boldly asked if he was for Israel or their adversaries. The Man responded with "No." Initially this seems an improper response, but the reality was Joshua was asking the wrong questions because he imagined he was in command. The Man Joshua questioned was revealed to be the Commander of the LORD's army and infinitely outranked him. Realising his question was invalid because of the identity of this divine Man who received worship, the One whose presence made the ground they stood upon holy, Joshua fell on his face before Him "...whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2) Joshua realised he was face to face with the living God in human form and his question completely changed: "What does my Lord say to His servant?" Instead of demanding an answer to a challenge, Joshua begged his LORD to choose the subject of conversation and waited for God to speak.
With a personal revelation of God Joshua's question drastically changed. Currently the best we can do is ask questions from an imperfect, incomplete understanding of God and His plans. It therefore follows our questions are focused on the wrong things. The answers to countless questions men wrestle with are provided in scripture, and God has also invited us to ask Him for wisdom when we lack it. During our earthly pilgrimage there will always be unknowns because of our limited minds and skewed perspectives, but faith in the living God comfortably fills these gaps with peace and rest. If you have a burning question for God ask Him and wait patiently for His answer. I imagine many of our burning questions will turn to fine ash in light of God's eternal glory. Like Joshua's case you may not receive a direct answer to your particular question because it isn't the right question to ask. Many times scripture recorded people who asked questions of Jesus and He answered with a question that seemed unrelated to the original statement because He was addressing the hearts of His hearers instead of the words used to camouflage them.
"What does my LORD say to His servant?" is a fitting request to our God who is not obligated to speak but is pleased to address all who humbly worship Him in spirit and truth.
Joshua had been called by God to be strong and courageous as He obediently led the children of Israel over Jordan and into the promised land. When Joshua approached the stronghold of Jericho he was met by an unexpected and armed "man" in Joshua 5:13-15: "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?" 14 So He said, "No, but as Commander of the army of the LORD I have now come." And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, "What does my Lord say to His servant?" 15 Then the Commander of the LORD'S army said to Joshua, "Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy." And Joshua did so."
Upon seeing this armed Man Joshua boldly asked if he was for Israel or their adversaries. The Man responded with "No." Initially this seems an improper response, but the reality was Joshua was asking the wrong questions because he imagined he was in command. The Man Joshua questioned was revealed to be the Commander of the LORD's army and infinitely outranked him. Realising his question was invalid because of the identity of this divine Man who received worship, the One whose presence made the ground they stood upon holy, Joshua fell on his face before Him "...whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2) Joshua realised he was face to face with the living God in human form and his question completely changed: "What does my Lord say to His servant?" Instead of demanding an answer to a challenge, Joshua begged his LORD to choose the subject of conversation and waited for God to speak.
With a personal revelation of God Joshua's question drastically changed. Currently the best we can do is ask questions from an imperfect, incomplete understanding of God and His plans. It therefore follows our questions are focused on the wrong things. The answers to countless questions men wrestle with are provided in scripture, and God has also invited us to ask Him for wisdom when we lack it. During our earthly pilgrimage there will always be unknowns because of our limited minds and skewed perspectives, but faith in the living God comfortably fills these gaps with peace and rest. If you have a burning question for God ask Him and wait patiently for His answer. I imagine many of our burning questions will turn to fine ash in light of God's eternal glory. Like Joshua's case you may not receive a direct answer to your particular question because it isn't the right question to ask. Many times scripture recorded people who asked questions of Jesus and He answered with a question that seemed unrelated to the original statement because He was addressing the hearts of His hearers instead of the words used to camouflage them.
"What does my LORD say to His servant?" is a fitting request to our God who is not obligated to speak but is pleased to address all who humbly worship Him in spirit and truth.
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