God asks questions not to gain information but to elicit a response from the person, prompting them to think and reveal their own heart.
Les Feldick teaches that whenever God or Jesus really wanted to get something out of someone, they asked a question, even though they already knew the answer. This pattern, from the Garden of Eden to Jesus's ministry, is designed to give the individual time to think and to draw out a personal response. It's a tool for communication and revelation, not a search for unknown facts.
Genesis 3:9 — God asks Adam 'Where art thou?' even though He already knows Adam has hidden, showing the question is to draw Adam out.
The Bible records several instances where God asks questions to which He already knows the answer. In Genesis 3, after Adam and Eve disobey, God calls to Adam, 'Where art thou?' (Genesis 3:9) and then asks, 'Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?' (Genesis 3:11). God is omniscient, so He already knows the answers, yet He poses these questions. Similarly, in Job 38, the Lord responds to Job out of the whirlwind with a series of questions: 'Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?' (Job 38:2) and 'Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.' (Job 38:3). These instances show that God deliberately uses questions in His dealings with humanity.
Les Feldick explains that God's questions are not because He needs information; rather, He uses questions to bring about a response and to give the person time to think. In the clip from Book 5, Lesson 6, he says, 'Whenever Jesus really wanted to get something out of somebody, what would He do? He would ask them a question. He knew the answer, and even way back in the Garden of Eden, God didn't have to ask, but what did He? He said, Adam, what have you done?' Les points out that this method is consistent in Scripture: God asks questions to engage people, to prompt them to acknowledge their situation, and to reveal what is in their hearts. He also applies this principle to our own interactions, suggesting that asking questions is a more effective way to elicit feedback than making a direct statement.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that even in prayer, God already knows our needs, but He wants us to communicate. In the clip from Book 10, Lesson 5, Les says, 'You mean God doesn't know? Sure he does. He knows, but what does he want? He wants you and I to communicate. He wants us to let him know from our heart what we desire and what we need, even though he knows.' He further explains that God's answers can be 'yes,' 'no,' or 'wait,' analogous to a parent's response to a child's request.
Les Feldick indicates that the purpose of God's questions is to prompt a response that comes from the individual's own will. In the clip from Book 21, Lesson 12, he explains that God made humans with the ability to respond to His love or reject it. Questions invite that response freely, as opposed to a forced acknowledgment. In the clip from Book 5, Lesson 6, he also shows how Jesus used questions to draw out people, and in the clip from Book 23, Lesson 6, he gives a practical example of asking 'How or why should God let you into His heaven?' to help a person express themselves, which follows this biblical pattern.
Les Feldick teaches that no human being ever seeks God on their own; it is God who is always the seeker and who makes the first move. In the clip from Book 24, Lesson 12, he says, 'No human being ever seeks God. God is always the seeker. God always makes that first move, and He is the one that prompts a human being to respond.' God's questions in Scripture are part of this seeking—He initiates the conversation, drawing the person to respond.
Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study
But you know, the wheels of God grind slowly, but surely, and Abraham, or Abram as he's still called here, and Sarai, and we want to definitely keep those names as such until we see it change, and I'm going to explain why they're changed. But Abram and Sarai are now getting rather impatient, and as we pointed out then last week, without any instruction from God, without God being in this whatsoeve…
Why God Made Humans with Free Will
Les explains that God made humans with the ability to respond to His love or reject it, which is why He asks questions—to elicit a genuine response from the human will.
Prayer as Communication with God
Les answers the question 'Why pray if God knows everything?' by stating that God wants us to communicate our desires and needs to Him even though He already knows.
God's Answers to Prayer
Les explains that when we pray, we can expect answers like 'yes,' 'no,' or 'wait,' just as a child receives from a parent, showing that God engages with our requests.
God as the Seeker
Les emphasizes that God is always the one who seeks out humans and prompts them to respond, which underlies why He would ask questions to initiate that response.
God's Questions in the Garden and Jesus' Ministry
Les Feldick directly states that God and Jesus asked questions they already knew the answer to, such as 'Adam, what have you done?' to draw out a response and give the person time to think.
Practical Application of Asking Questions
Les gives a practical example from evangelism: instead of asking 'Are you a Christian?', ask 'How or why should God let you into His heaven?' to let the person express themselves, following the biblical pattern.
God's Questions to Job
Les references Job 38 where God demands Job answer Him, showing another instance of God using questions to draw out a human response, even though God knows all.
Genesis 3:9: And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
God asks Adam where he is, though He already knows Adam has hidden after sinning.
Genesis 3:11: And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
God asks Adam a question about his disobedience, drawing out confession.
Job 38:2: Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
God questions Job's friends, making a point about their ignorance.
Job 38:3: Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
God demands Job to answer Him, showing the purpose of His questions.
Philippians 4:6: Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
Paul encourages believers to make their requests known to God, even though God already knows them.
No. Les Feldick teaches that God asks questions even though He already knows the answer. The purpose is not to gain information but to elicit a response from the person, prompting them to think and reveal their own heart.
God's question to Adam was to draw Adam out, giving him the opportunity to respond and acknowledge his disobedience. It was a way to engage Adam in conversation rather than confront him with a statement, as Les Feldick explains.
Yes, Les Feldick suggests that asking questions is an effective way to interact with others, as it invites them to speak and reveals what is on their heart. He gives an example from evangelism, where asking 'Why should God let you into His heaven?' lets the person express themselves.
Les Feldick teaches that God knows our needs but wants us to communicate with Him. He answers our requests with 'yes,' 'no,' or 'wait,' as a parent might respond to a child, and He desires our heartfelt communication and thanksgiving.
Watch the Teaching: Who is the Angel of the Lord? Genesis 16 Bible Study