When God Asks the Questions

God asked Jonah two questions in the fourth chapter.

“Is it right for you to be angry about this?”
Jonah 4:4 (NLT)

and then after a plant God provided to shade Jonah was then killed by a worm God appointed to that task, God asked Jonah...

“Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”
Jonah 4:9 (NLT)

God uses questions all throughout the Scriptures to try and make us stop and think. Here's a list I found of just a few.

·Where are you? Who told you that you were naked? What is this you have done? (Genesis 3)
·Where is your brother Abel? What have you done? (Genesis 4)
·What have you done? (1 Samuel 13:11)
·Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? (2 Samuel 12)
·Whom shall I send? Who will go for us? (Isaiah 6)
·Who do you say that I am? (Matthew 16)
·What do you want Me to do for you? (Matthew 20)
·Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss? (Luke 22)
·Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? (Acts 9)

We're so prone to ask God questions, but how uncomfortable they seem when He is the One asking.

The one question written in the Scriptures that sticks in my head?

It's at the close of the book of John. Peter has been restored by the grace of Jesus into fellowship and ministry. It would seem that Peter would be only focused on following the One who has just shown him the most incredible mercy and grace - right?

Nope.

Peter asks Jesus about His plans for the apostle John. Jesus replies, "What is that to you? You follow me."

It's so easy to start looking at what other people are doing. So tempting to worry about how a decision you might have to make would affect the lives of others. But Christ calls us forward - with Him.

When God asks, answer in obedience, not just words.