The FIRST questions in scripture

THE FIRST recorded questions in the first books of Scripture – whether in the “old” or “new” testaments, are very telling and instructive about our relationship with our Maker.

What were the first recorded QUESTIONS in Genesis? And what’s the first recorded question in the first book of the New Testament -- Matthew? Let’s start with the 2 first questions in Genesis.

Genesis 3:1

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God (YHVH Elohim) had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"

So the very first question was putting doubt into mankind (Adam was there with Eve – v. 6) about God’s desire to be our Leader and to give us eternal life. Satan posed God’s way as a bunch of negatives; just a series of what we can’t do, a bunch of “shall nots”.

Genesis 3:6-7

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings”.

The result of the first question is that mankind recognized they were naked, lost and separated from the loving relationship and confidence they had in their Maker.

The next question is even more telling. Now it’s God himself who is doing the asking.

Genesis 3:8-9

And they heard the sound of YHVH Elohim (the Lord God) walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of YHVH Elohim among the trees of the garden.

Then Yehoweh Elohim (the Lord God) called to Adam and said to him, "Where are YOU?"

Our Creator knew where our ancestors were. They were LOST. God called to the head of that household (1 Cor. 11:3) – the man, the husband, though Eve was the first to eat of the fruit. It was to the man that God gave the instructions about the tree and is considered the first sinner.

Anyway, they were on the wrong path. They were in disobedience and were now in trouble, and most of mankind has been out of union with our Maker ever since -- -unless we come up with the correct answer to the first question in the book of Matthew! That’s the next question we will read.

Matthew 2:1-2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where IS HE who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

So the first question GOD asks in the book of Genesis is revealing the problem: “Where are YOU?”. The first question in the New Testament reveals the answer, and is the question WE need to be asking, “Where is HE, who was born KING…”. We need to focus on where HE is even more than where WE are, knowing He is our Savior and can take care of all our issues and then be a SEEKER after God, searching for Him – even as He comes looking for us.

Read the rest of this blog for more exciting points on being united with our Maker and Savior.

Mankind is spiritually lost and doesn’t often recognize it. If a lost person in the woods doesn’t know he is lost, he usually goes ever deeper into trouble. God knows where we are, and in his love, God still asks – “Where are you?” God comes looking for US. That’s what happened with Adam and Eve. God came looking for them first, didn’t He? Mankind – represented by our ancient grandparents Adam and Eve – doesn’t know enough about their lost state to even start to come looking for their Deliverer. God has to first come looking for us. Often, a lost person doesn’t even know there are loved ones out looking for him. But God first loved us, and that is why and how we can love – because HE first loved us. And there’s great joy in the reunion!

The father of the prodigal son describes his joy when being reconciled to his lost son: Read the full story yourself in Luke 15:11-32 please, but here’s what the FATHER said when his son “woke up” from cutting himself off from his dad and reunited with dad:   “….let us eat and be merry, for this my son was DEAD and is alive again, was LOST and now is found.” (Luke 15:23-24). This verse applies to us all – whether we are sons or daughters of God.

Wise men from the east tell us all that the answer to God’s question asking where we are, is found in their question: “where is HE who has been born king of the Jews?”

But even the wise men from the East had it revealed to them that Salvation had come. GOD put that thought into their minds. God showed them “the star”. God led them to Judea. God is putting that same thought into YOUR mind too. Your salvation has come. You are being called. It’s no accident that you are learning more and more about God. The goodness of GOD is what leads you and me to repentance (Romans 2:4). He is our salvation from beginning to end. It is HIS goodness, HIS works, that lead us to eternity (Ecclesiastes 3:11), from beginning to end.

The wise men knew that Herod “the king” was an impostor. He was an Edomite, from Esau – not from Jacob (Israel) and from the line of David. No, Herod was an Edomite. Jesus – Yeshua- however, the Son of God was also the Son of Man, of the line of David. He is the legitimate One to sit on the throne of David. And now He is not only the king of the Jews, but will be the king of all the world; the King of Kings (Rev 19:16)! And he should be your king and my king – NOW.

So the wise men went looking, led by “the star” that went before them, until the star stood over where the child was. (Perhaps that “star” was an angel, and not a literal star in heaven.)

We are also to look for HIM and find HIM – as God is the one putting that urge inside of us. HE is the one making us want to search for Him. He is the One who will lead us to himself if we listen and follow. In so doing, when we find him and are found IN HIM, we no longer will feel lost, alone and naked.

Revelation 3:19-20

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

Let’s hear. He’s knocking on the door of your heart. Open your door to Him. Respond to his urgings in you to look for Him – and let’s seek Him with all our hearts, for we shall surely find Him. Hallelujah.