I've Got a Question

If you've ever had employees or students or children report to you, you know. You ask a lot of questions, particularly the ones to which you already have answers. Ones like, "Well, did you study for the test?" or "Did you clean your room today?" They are teaching questions, coaching the person to recognize where they might be responsible for their own failure or problem. They're also testing questions, revealing whether the person will openly admit their culpability. And they are merciful questions, allowing the person an opportunity to admit wrongdoing or apologize for their error, thereby, softening your heart toward them despite their offense. 

One of the best illustrations of God as Father is right at the start of human history, in Genesis 3. Adam and Eve were instructed of their limitation within the Garden of Eden. That's right, limitation. Just one. And they violated it. So what did God do? Did He strike them dead right then and there? Nope. Did His thunderous voice beckon, "Hey, you two! Get over here right now!"? Nope.

"And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden." ~Genesis 3:8

God went for a walk. Adam and Eve hid. God looks on hearts; nothing in creation is hidden from Him: He knew what they'd done and He knew where they were, but mercifully, God asked Adam, "Where are you?" (v.9) Now, Scripture tells us that Adam and Eve hid, then God called them, but Adam explains it was God's voice and his own nakedness that prompted him to hide (v. 10). Was Adam, in some way, trying to excuse his flight by saying it was God's fault? "Well, You sounded so angry and fearsome; You terrified me." So, God asked two more questions to which He already had the answer. "Who told you you were naked?" and "Have you done what I told you not to do?" (paraphrase mine, v.11) Such a "dad" thing to do, isn't it? Not once did He accuse or berate them. Instead, He drew them closer to Himself. He asked questions, opening the lines of communication Adam and Eve were clearly trying to cut. Despite their offense, He wooed them back to Himself.

And He does the same with all His children. He pursues them. He asks the questions that will cause them to look upon their sin and their attempts to escape. He causes them to check their location and realize they are outside His presence and His will. He asks whose voice they've been following. He allows His love for them, demonstrated through His commandments, to unfold before their eyes so they might confess their rebellion and turn to Him. And He welcomes all who would repent. No question about it.