As we are dealing with the topic of 'Questions to God', let us try to learn more about different types of questions (with examples of questions people asked God), and introspect on what kind of questions we tend to ask God.
Open questions - What is Your name? - expecting to know some information or explanation
Probing questions - If the Lord is with us, then why has all of this happened to us? - expecting clarifications
Closed questions - Are you the Messiah? - expecting a yes or no answer
Leading questions - Are you one of us, or are you with our enemies? - designed to lead the respondent in a specific direction
Loaded questions - How long will you judge partially by showing favor to the wicked? - the question comes with an inbuilt assumption and is dangerous when the assumption is wrong (the assumption that God is partial)
Rhetorical questions - Pilate asking Jesus - What is truth? and walking away - a question asked without expecting an answer
I think the first two categories of questions are beneficial, the third category acceptable in certain cases. However, the fourth, the fifth, and especially the last type of question reveals a heart and mind which might not be ready for the answer. If we are wondering why we don't hear satisfying answers from God, maybe we should check if our questions are proper.
The night before Jesus was crucified, He had the last supper with the disciples where He tells them that one of them is going to betray Him. Let us read the following passage with a question from the disciples to Jesus, and then see which type the question belongs to.
Matthew 26: 20-25 Now when evening had come, he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. As they were eating, he said, “Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.” They were exceedingly sorrowful, and each began to ask him, “It isn’t me, is it, Lord?” He answered, “He who dipped his hand with me in the dish will betray me. The Son of Man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.” Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?” He said to him, “You said it.” (Link)
I think the above question could be classified as a closed leading question. Jesus replies, 'You said it', which is a Jewish expression on the affirmative - 'It is'. However, I would say the question is both arrogant and deceptive, deliberately phrased to evoke confusion in the reply. It is arrogant because prior to the supper, Judas had already spoken to the Chief priests and had agreed to betray Jesus (Matt 26:14-16). It is deceptive, as one can convince themselves to be confused by the answer 'It is', wondering what Jesus meant. 'It is Him' - that Jesus meant it was Judas, or that 'It is - not Him - that Jesus didn't mean it to be Judas.
Let us check if we are asking such closed leading questions to God. Most of the time, in our prayers to God, we do not wait for God's reply. We quickly tell our petitions, ask God regarding His will, and then rush to say Amen. Also, many of us have been brought up to believe - Qui tacet consentit (Silence is consent). Thus, inevitably we take that God is giving consent to our questions.
'Lord, I have to take up this job, right?' - (Rush to say Amen) - Then believe God's silence is consent.
'Lord, I have no choice, I have to just twist the truth here a bit, right?' - (Rush to say Amen) - Then believe God's silence is consent.
When tempted, decide to give in to the temptations, and then pray 'Lord, I am weak, I can't get rid of this sin. You will not hold this against me, right?' - (Rush to say Amen) - Then believe God's silence is consent.
When will we be willing to ask, 'What would you have me do, Lord?', 'Which way do I go, Lord?' and 'How should I fight this temptation, Lord?' Check the type of question you ask God!
Link to the previous article: If you don't like sin, then why do you spend much time with sinners?
Link to the next article: Do You care, God?
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