Questions, But Can You Handle The Answers?
(2 Esdras 4:1-26)
As humans we may have questions for God, but can we REALLY handle the answers?
Esdras had been granted an audience with God through a holy messenger. He was asked if he thought he had advanced so much that he could really “comprehend the way of the most High”. Esdras responded with an unwavering “yes”. He believed he was capable of understanding the most High’s ways.
Esdras wanted to know why God’s own people were experiencing so much suffering and had presented his case to include a stark contrast of God’s people being desolate while the ungodly prospered. Now let’s take a step back and look at that situation for a moment. Was Esdras covetous or envious?
While covetousness is, indeed, a problem for some, Esdras did not seem to be exhibiting that behavior for the following reasons:
► Esdras was not operating in the flesh. He had been fasting and prostrating himself to Holy God in deepest sincerity. He was communicating with GODLY spirits which was not something the average person experienced as it was described in the text.
► God’s messenger did not accuse Esdras of yearning to possess something which belonged to someone else.
► As with Job, of the Old Testament, the focus was on WHY harsh things were happening though rules were being carefully obeyed. Those rules, laws, were believed to guarantee a pleasant outcome. 2 Esdras 4:22-26 explained what was wanted. There was no indication that Esdras desired someone else’ things.
From a sincere heart and with pure motives, Esdras just wanted to know where God’s people had gone wrong. The prosperity-desolation comparison was presented as part of the facts as proof that SOMETHING must not be right. Lifestyle changes had been made, marriages had been dissolved, physical locations had been changed for the purpose of correcting wrongs against God (1 Esdras), and people were awaiting Esdras’ instructions on what to do next.
Esdras had been granted an audience with God through a holy messenger. He was asked if he thought he had advanced so much that he could really “comprehend the way of the most High”. Esdras responded with an unwavering “yes”. He believed he was capable of understanding the most High’s ways.
Esdras wanted to know why God’s own people were experiencing so much suffering and had presented his case to include a stark contrast of God’s people being desolate while the ungodly prospered. Now let’s take a step back and look at that situation for a moment. Was Esdras covetous or envious?
While covetousness is, indeed, a problem for some, Esdras did not seem to be exhibiting that behavior for the following reasons:
► Esdras was not operating in the flesh. He had been fasting and prostrating himself to Holy God in deepest sincerity. He was communicating with GODLY spirits which was not something the average person experienced as it was described in the text.
► God’s messenger did not accuse Esdras of yearning to possess something which belonged to someone else.
► As with Job, of the Old Testament, the focus was on WHY harsh things were happening though rules were being carefully obeyed. Those rules, laws, were believed to guarantee a pleasant outcome. 2 Esdras 4:22-26 explained what was wanted. There was no indication that Esdras desired someone else’ things.
From a sincere heart and with pure motives, Esdras just wanted to know where God’s people had gone wrong. The prosperity-desolation comparison was presented as part of the facts as proof that SOMETHING must not be right. Lifestyle changes had been made, marriages had been dissolved, physical locations had been changed for the purpose of correcting wrongs against God (1 Esdras), and people were awaiting Esdras’ instructions on what to do next.
Since Esdras had informed the messenger that he could handle comprehension of the most High’s ways, the angel, Uriel, presented situations for Esdras to explain. He was only asked to answer one of the three:
Of course Esdras couldn’t do it and responded: Who can do that? Why even ask me something like that?
The angel to Esdras: Well, if I were to ask you to tell me about the great places that are in the middle of the sea, or how many springs there are at the opening of the deep, or how many springs are above the firmament, or where the exits are of paradise, you’d likely say I’ve never gone to those places so how could I know? But I’ve only asked you about fire, wind, and one day in which you’ve actually lived. These are things you’re connected to and have grown up knowing about, but you can’t answer those questions. So what makes you think you can understand the way of the Highest? How can you possibly understand the visible corruption of the world, that you see, and also that corruption of it that I see?
Esdras became clearer about the enormous magnitude of the world. He was face-to-face with the reality that even he, a person of God who was highly skilled in the law, knew so little in light of such greatness. He was humbled and emotionally moved by this revelation. He suggested that not having existed at all would have been better than to live in wickedness, suffer, and not know why.
The angel went on to explain and give examples of limitations of both humans as well as some heavenly entities (v21). In verses 22-25, Esdras showed he understood the lesson and recanted from thinking he could grasp “the high things”. He clarified that he just wanted to know plain daily things, particularly WHY “Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen”, WHY “the people whom thou hast loved is given over to ungodly nations…”, WHY "the law of our forefathers is brought to nought”, and WHY “the written covenants come to none effect.”
Esdras asked only about situations pertaining to God, His people, His name, His law, and His legacy—not other people’s things. He continued by saying he wanted to know the purpose of life if God’s own were “not worthy to obtain mercy.” That’s how bleak things looked to him. It wasn’t the temporal things that mattered. He was concerned for God’s people and for future generations of those who were called by His name.
One does not have to want something someone else possesses to wonder why their own situation does not fit into the framework they believe it should. One can look around and acknowledge seeming discrepancies without wanting to have the belongings of others.
Uriel: The more you search, the more you’ll be surprised.
Esdras needed to fully digest that there was so much he would not understand as a human being. That may be one of the toughest lessons those of the human species must really, really absorb. Sometimes, it can be super hard to face one's frailties and limitations as flesh and blood entities.
Initially Esdras believed, as many do today, that he could handle answers to any deep spiritual question, but in short order, Esdras learned differently. We can ask questions. It may be that God will answer some. Nonetheless, the answers may not be what we think we want to hear. Are we prepared to handle the weight of answers from God? Can we accept that there are some things we may never know?
- How much does fire weigh?
- Measure the blast of wind.
- Bring back yesterday.
Of course Esdras couldn’t do it and responded: Who can do that? Why even ask me something like that?
The angel to Esdras: Well, if I were to ask you to tell me about the great places that are in the middle of the sea, or how many springs there are at the opening of the deep, or how many springs are above the firmament, or where the exits are of paradise, you’d likely say I’ve never gone to those places so how could I know? But I’ve only asked you about fire, wind, and one day in which you’ve actually lived. These are things you’re connected to and have grown up knowing about, but you can’t answer those questions. So what makes you think you can understand the way of the Highest? How can you possibly understand the visible corruption of the world, that you see, and also that corruption of it that I see?
Esdras became clearer about the enormous magnitude of the world. He was face-to-face with the reality that even he, a person of God who was highly skilled in the law, knew so little in light of such greatness. He was humbled and emotionally moved by this revelation. He suggested that not having existed at all would have been better than to live in wickedness, suffer, and not know why.
The angel went on to explain and give examples of limitations of both humans as well as some heavenly entities (v21). In verses 22-25, Esdras showed he understood the lesson and recanted from thinking he could grasp “the high things”. He clarified that he just wanted to know plain daily things, particularly WHY “Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen”, WHY “the people whom thou hast loved is given over to ungodly nations…”, WHY "the law of our forefathers is brought to nought”, and WHY “the written covenants come to none effect.”
Esdras asked only about situations pertaining to God, His people, His name, His law, and His legacy—not other people’s things. He continued by saying he wanted to know the purpose of life if God’s own were “not worthy to obtain mercy.” That’s how bleak things looked to him. It wasn’t the temporal things that mattered. He was concerned for God’s people and for future generations of those who were called by His name.
One does not have to want something someone else possesses to wonder why their own situation does not fit into the framework they believe it should. One can look around and acknowledge seeming discrepancies without wanting to have the belongings of others.
Uriel: The more you search, the more you’ll be surprised.
Esdras needed to fully digest that there was so much he would not understand as a human being. That may be one of the toughest lessons those of the human species must really, really absorb. Sometimes, it can be super hard to face one's frailties and limitations as flesh and blood entities.
Initially Esdras believed, as many do today, that he could handle answers to any deep spiritual question, but in short order, Esdras learned differently. We can ask questions. It may be that God will answer some. Nonetheless, the answers may not be what we think we want to hear. Are we prepared to handle the weight of answers from God? Can we accept that there are some things we may never know?
2 Esdras 4:1-26
1 And the angel that was sent unto me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer,
2 And said, Thy heart hath gone to far in this world, and thinkest thou to comprehend the way of the most High?
3 Then said I, Yea, my lord. And he answered me, and said, I am sent to shew thee three ways, and to set forth three similitudes before thee:
4 Whereof if thou canst declare me one, I will shew thee also the way that thou desirest to see, and I shall shew thee from whence the wicked heart cometh.
5 And I said, Tell on, my lord. Then said he unto me, Go thy way, weigh me the weight of the fire, ormeasure me the blast of the wind, or call me again the day that is past.
6 Then answered I and said, What man is able to do that, that thou shouldest ask such things of me?
7 And he said unto me, If I should ask thee how great dwellings are in the midst of the sea, or how many springs are in the beginning of the deep, or how many springs are above the firmament, or which are the outgoings of paradise:
8 Peradventure thou wouldest say unto me, I never went down into the deep, nor as yet into hell, neither did I ever climb up into heaven.
9 Nevertheless now have I asked thee but only of the fire and wind, and of the day wherethrough thou hast passed, and of things from which thou canst not be separated, and yet canst thou give me no answer of them.
10 He said moreover unto me, Thine own things, and such as are grown up with thee, canst thou not know;
11 How should thy vessel then be able to comprehend the way of the Highest, and, the world being now outwardly corrupted to understand the corruption that is evident in my sight?
12 Then said I unto him, It were better that we were not at all, than that we should live still in wickedness, and to suffer, and not to know wherefore.
13 He answered me, and said, I went into a forest into a plain, and the trees took counsel,
14 And said, Come, let us go and make war against the sea that it may depart away before us, and that we may make us more woods.
15 The floods of the sea also in like manner took counsel, and said, Come, let us go up and subdue the woods of the plain, that there also we may make us another country.
16 The thought of the wood was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it.
17 The thought of the floods of the sea came likewise to nought, for the sand stood up and stopped them.
18 If thou wert judge now betwixt these two, whom wouldest thou begin to justify? or whom wouldest thou condemn?
19 I answered and said, Verily it is a foolish thought that they both have devised, for the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea also hath his place to bear his floods.
20 Then answered he me, and said, Thou hast given a right judgment, but why judgest thou not thyself also?
21 For like as the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea to his floods: even so they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he that dwelleth above the heavens may only understand the things that are above the height of the heavens.
22 Then answered I and said, I beseech thee, O Lord, let me have understanding:
23 For it was not my mind to be curious of the high things, but of such as pass by us daily, namely, wherefore Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and for what cause the people whom thou hast loved is given over unto ungodly nations, and why the law of our forefathers is brought to nought, and the written covenants come to none effect,
24 And we pass away out of the world as grasshoppers, and our life is astonishment and fear, and we arenot worthy to obtain mercy.
25 What will he then do unto his name whereby we are called? of these things have I asked.
26 Then answered he me, and said, The more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel; for the world hasteth fast to pass away,
1 And the angel that was sent unto me, whose name was Uriel, gave me an answer,
2 And said, Thy heart hath gone to far in this world, and thinkest thou to comprehend the way of the most High?
3 Then said I, Yea, my lord. And he answered me, and said, I am sent to shew thee three ways, and to set forth three similitudes before thee:
4 Whereof if thou canst declare me one, I will shew thee also the way that thou desirest to see, and I shall shew thee from whence the wicked heart cometh.
5 And I said, Tell on, my lord. Then said he unto me, Go thy way, weigh me the weight of the fire, ormeasure me the blast of the wind, or call me again the day that is past.
6 Then answered I and said, What man is able to do that, that thou shouldest ask such things of me?
7 And he said unto me, If I should ask thee how great dwellings are in the midst of the sea, or how many springs are in the beginning of the deep, or how many springs are above the firmament, or which are the outgoings of paradise:
8 Peradventure thou wouldest say unto me, I never went down into the deep, nor as yet into hell, neither did I ever climb up into heaven.
9 Nevertheless now have I asked thee but only of the fire and wind, and of the day wherethrough thou hast passed, and of things from which thou canst not be separated, and yet canst thou give me no answer of them.
10 He said moreover unto me, Thine own things, and such as are grown up with thee, canst thou not know;
11 How should thy vessel then be able to comprehend the way of the Highest, and, the world being now outwardly corrupted to understand the corruption that is evident in my sight?
12 Then said I unto him, It were better that we were not at all, than that we should live still in wickedness, and to suffer, and not to know wherefore.
13 He answered me, and said, I went into a forest into a plain, and the trees took counsel,
14 And said, Come, let us go and make war against the sea that it may depart away before us, and that we may make us more woods.
15 The floods of the sea also in like manner took counsel, and said, Come, let us go up and subdue the woods of the plain, that there also we may make us another country.
16 The thought of the wood was in vain, for the fire came and consumed it.
17 The thought of the floods of the sea came likewise to nought, for the sand stood up and stopped them.
18 If thou wert judge now betwixt these two, whom wouldest thou begin to justify? or whom wouldest thou condemn?
19 I answered and said, Verily it is a foolish thought that they both have devised, for the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea also hath his place to bear his floods.
20 Then answered he me, and said, Thou hast given a right judgment, but why judgest thou not thyself also?
21 For like as the ground is given unto the wood, and the sea to his floods: even so they that dwell upon the earth may understand nothing but that which is upon the earth: and he that dwelleth above the heavens may only understand the things that are above the height of the heavens.
22 Then answered I and said, I beseech thee, O Lord, let me have understanding:
23 For it was not my mind to be curious of the high things, but of such as pass by us daily, namely, wherefore Israel is given up as a reproach to the heathen, and for what cause the people whom thou hast loved is given over unto ungodly nations, and why the law of our forefathers is brought to nought, and the written covenants come to none effect,
24 And we pass away out of the world as grasshoppers, and our life is astonishment and fear, and we arenot worthy to obtain mercy.
25 What will he then do unto his name whereby we are called? of these things have I asked.
26 Then answered he me, and said, The more thou searchest, the more thou shalt marvel; for the world hasteth fast to pass away,
