#73 – When a Question Broke the World

Welcome to season eight of Presently Engaged with Mandy Pallock. Here you’ll find short, friendly, Jesus-focused encouragement to live intentionally right where you are. And now for your host, Mandy Pallock. You know that I love a good question.

Asking questions and listening well can take every relationship you have deeper. In this season, we are diving deep into questions in Scripture because as we look to the Bible, we look to the very best source. We will then end the podcast with a Scripture reading anchoring us in the truth of God’s word before you go on with your day. This will give us the opportunity to center our minds on Jesus and our hearts on his word because lives will change as we engage with God’s word.

I wonder if you could help me with something. Would you consider texting this podcast right now to a friend or to someone that you’re mentoring? Listen in and then join me at PresentlyEngaged.com. I am so grateful for your time and glad that you are here because you friend are making a difference.

Welcome to episode three of Presently Engaged with Mandy Pallock. In episode one, we explored how questions outnumber exclamation points in Scripture and how God employs them to invite us into relationship with him. In episode two, we discovered that the Bible isn’t afraid of our hardest questions. In fact, it’s filled with them.

We talked about how safe it is to bring those big aching questions to God because his word can withstand our doubts and any amount of questioning and his heart welcomes our curiosity. We also looked at some simple tools for reading Scripture well, keeping genre and context, culture and cross-references in mind so that as we ask questions, we can trust God’s story and lean into his answers. Over the rest of this season, we’ll encounter Adam and Eve, the nation of Israel, Elijah, David, Jonah, Habakkuk, Jesus himself, and John in Revelation, all of whom ask or receive life-shaping questions. Each episode will continue to weave stories, Scripture, and practical application, then close with a chapter-length reading from the Gospels.

I am so glad you’re here. Thinking about questions has reminded me of how and when I began to fall in love with Peter, my husband also known as the man of my dreams, and the integral role that curiosity and open-ended questions played in that process. We discovered that dates didn’t have to be confined to the prototypical dinner and a movie. Although for the record, a dinner and a movie is indeed one of our favorite dates.

When Peter and I were first getting to know each other, we searched for effective ways to grow a flourishing relationship long distance. My hailing from northeast of Dallas and him residing in San Antonio made us appreciate technology. Hooray for video chats and cell phones, and it made us cherish the moments that we were in the same town, in the same location. One evening, Peter picked me up in his trusty Ford Taurus.

We drove to the store and snagged the game Monopoly. Proof that I lived in a small town, one of the only places open at the time, was the local McDonald’s. And so we perched at a small round table and we pulled out Monopoly, where Peter explained his idea. Everyone knows that a well-played game of Monopoly will take days.

It’s the stuff of long Thanksgiving weekends and family feuds and never-ending sagas. So why not embrace the reality of the infinite game and make it last even longer? So we sifted through the chance and community chess cards, pondering what each one made us think of. And then we came up with a question prompt or a category loosely inspired by that particular card.

If the card decreed pay hospital $100, the question prompt asked, well, what is something you paid $100 for? If you got the appreciated you inherit $100 card, you could also answer, what’s a legacy you’ve been given. And when you drew a card or you purchased a property, you answered the question on the card. And when someone landed on one of your properties, they answered a question along with pain rent.

Even in the process of customizing the game, I began to know Peter better. A future rounds of Monopoly kept the process going. And what to me had been a laborious game of around and around and again became a gathering spot for questions, conversation and sharing. And I think that’s what God was doing in the garden.

Today, let’s open our Bibles to its first pages and remind ourselves of the role questions played in the very beginning. When we open our Bibles and read the story of creation, it doesn’t take long for questions to show up. And the very first question in scripture, it’s not asked by God, it’s asked by the enemy. In fact, creation fell with a question.

Let’s look at it together. Genesis tells us that after God created Adam, he placed him in a breathtaking garden. Every tree was beautiful and good for food. Adam and Eve had freedom and abundance with only one boundary.

Don’t eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. God made the reasoning clear in Genesis 2.17, for in the day that you eat of it, you shall surely die. Then a serpent appeared. Later, scripture identifies this serpent as Satan, God’s enemy, and ours.

Let’s read the first questions ever recorded in scripture. Listen to Genesis 3.1-7. Now, the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden?

The woman said to the serpent, we may eat of the fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say you must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it or you will die. You will not surely die. The serpent said to the woman, for God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it.

She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they realized they were naked, so they sewed fig trees together and made coverings for themselves. Take note of what the serpent whispered to Eve. Did God really say you shall not eat of any tree in the garden?

That little question dripped with doubt, twisting God’s good boundary into a suggestion of deprivation. The very first question in the Bible is someone questioning the words of God. We find ourselves asking that question today or here at Vocalized by Others, don’t we? Did God actually say that?

Eve listened. She looked. She reached and ate and Adam did too. And that single decision cracked the perfection of paradise and our human story shifted to one of longing for what was and what should have been and what will be one day.

Friend, what questions in your life today echo that same whisper? Did God really say, when you find yourself wondering, take that as a cue to search the scriptures to see for yourself what God said and how it applies to your life today. Let’s root ourselves in his truth together. Back to Adam and Eve.

When Adam and Eve hid in shame, God came looking for them. He came looking. He did not walk away. And he asked the first couple a question, where are you?

God knew exactly where they were, but his question wasn’t about geography. It was about relationship. He was inviting them to notice what had changed to become aware of the distance sin had introduced. Adam admitted in Genesis 3, verse 10, I heard the sound of you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked and I hid myself.

Fear, shame and hiding. These are the real these are the realities I recognize in different parts of my own story. A guilty conscience causes us to hide, doesn’t it? Notice that God asked two more questions.

Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from? Through questions, God was drawing Adam and Eve to awareness and conviction. He asked questions and wanted them to see and acknowledge the weight of their choice.

But instead of taking responsibility, the blame game began. Adam pointed to Eve, Eve pointed to the serpent, and finally, God asked Eve directly, what is this you have done? Questions brought awareness, questions uncovered, responsibility, questions exposed, brokenness. And I wonder if God were to ask you today, where are you?

Where are you in your walk with him? Where are you in your heart, in your choices? What would your honest answer be? Maybe go on a date with God this week and talk through that question.

Maybe take the question with you on a walk and ponder as you stroll. Where are you? Yet, even in that devastating moment, God spoke hope. First, God used questions to reveal the responsibility and effect of the first woman and man’s choices.

From these questions, hope would come. To the serpent, God declared that one day a descendant of Eve would crush his head, even as the serpent struck his heel. That’s the very first whisper of the gospel, a promise of Jesus, our snake crusher, who would come, live a perfect life, die a sacrificial death, and rise again in victory. Because of Jesus, despair is not the end of the story.

Because of Jesus, sin and shame are not the final word. 1 Peter 1, 3-4 triumphantly declares, blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to his great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. Friend, where in your life right now do you need to cling to this promise that Jesus has already crushed the serpent’s head and that despair does not get the last word? The gospel changes everything. What broken relationship might be on your heart right now?

Where can you remind yourself that God’s heart is for restoration and renewal? What does this mean for us? I notice in Genesis 3, when Satan used a question, it opened the door for sin to enter the world. But when God asks questions, they invite us back into relationship.

Romans 8-1 tells us there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. So when God asks a question, He brings clarity and awareness and hope. Friend, we can follow God’s lead in this. When you disciple and mentor or encourage others, you will meet people who feel trapped by urgency or distraction or sin.

You may even run into it in your own heart along the way. Don’t lose heart. There is not a single interaction that we will have today that is hopeless. God is at work in your most challenging circumstances.

Ezekiel 37-27 contains a promise, my dwelling place will be with them. I will be their God and they will be my people. Jesus, the serpent crusher, fulfilled this promise in Matthew 1-23. He is Emmanuel, which means God with us.

Friend, God with us. God with you in your questions. God with you as you ask questions with a heart to listen and to understand. God with you.

So as you step into conversations this week, ask questions, not questions that sow doubt like the enemies, but questions that open hearts to Christ. Pray for Jesus to let you see people the way He sees them. Beloved, pursued, worth every question, worth hearing and listening to and knowing their hearts. So think about it right now.

Who in your life needs you to ask a question? One that could open the door to awareness or hope or faith. How might you kick off a conversation? Can you send a text or put something on your calendar right now?

We learn from the first pages of scripture here. Questions bring awareness. Questions bring understanding. If you confess that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart, He is the resurrected King, then His hope infuses even the most hopeless or discouraging conversation.

God still walks in the garden today. He’s still asking, where are you? Not to accuse, but to invite. And so today we can bring God, our hiding, our shame, our distance, and we can invite Him to ask us the hard questions and lead us into connected fellowship with Him.

By the way, thank you for being here. Could I ask a quick favor? If you’ve been encouraged by this episode or by this podcast, would you take just a moment to rate it and review the podcast? Your kind words help presently engaged with Mandy Pallock reach more listeners who are ready for Jesus focused encouragement.

Thank you. I am really grateful. You truly make a difference. And now back to questions.

I opened our time together here talking about monopoly. A couple years ago, our kids discovered the additions on our set of monopoly. We tried out a few of the questions that on a new generation as we introduced them to the game. We don’t always play the question version of monopoly, but the prompts are there, ready for a conversation and priming the pump for an ask.

These, these are the good old days, y’all. It makes me wonder, what consistent activity do you do? Do you have a family game night or volunteer with your church, high school group or chat after a workout at the gym? What are your routines?

How might you stack a question onto that activity? It could be as simple as having questions ready for your next board game. Every round, one player gets to ask a question after their turn. Our already established routines are great places to ask a question, inviting someone you love into a conversation.

The goal is natural, non awkward and fun. And speaking of conversation starters, do you need help knowing what questions to ask? You can access free conversation starters from my book, The Question Habit. They are organized around life stages and they range from fun to thought provoking to deep and real.

You can get your own set for free at thequestionhabit.com slash questions. That’s thequestionhabit.com slash questions. We end every episode with a reading from scripture. Today, let’s read Matthew 5.

By my count, Jesus asks five questions. The majority of them are clustered at the end of the chapter. So, let’s ponder what we learn from Jesus, his beatitudes and a holy curiosity as we engage with his word together. This is the word of the Lord.

Now, when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountain side and sat down. His disciples came to him and he began to teach them. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you, when people falsely insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. For truly, I tell you until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the law until everything is accomplished. Therefore, anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.

But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, you shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.

Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, Raka, is answerable to the court, and anyone who says you fool will be in danger of the fire of hell. Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them, then come and offer your gift. Settle the matter quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.

Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge and the judge may hand you over to the officer and you may be thrown into prison. Truly, I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny. You have heard that it was said, you shall not commit adultery. But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her and his heart.

If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be go to go into hell.

It has been said, anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce. But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife except for sexual immorality makes her the victim of adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, do not break your oath but fulfill the to the Lord the vows you have made.

But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all, either by heaven for it is God’s throne, or by the earth for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great king. And do not swear by your head for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply yes or no. Anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

You have heard that it was said eye for eye and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.

If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your father in heaven.

He causes his son to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?

Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect therefore, as your heavenly father is perfect. God’s word is for you, friend. Can you imagine not being able to read it or listen to it in your own heart language?

The language that you think in, dream in, and speak in? Biblical is a global ministry innovating new ways to reach people with the Bible. My husband, Peter and I have supported their work for almost 10 years and we’d like to invite you to join us. Biblical’s mission is to end gospel poverty wherever it is found.

So as your heart was blessed by today’s reading of God’s word, please visit biblical.com to support translating and distributing the Bible in someone else’s heart language. God’s word and people are the two things from this world we take into eternity. Together, we can provide the Bible in accurate contemporary translations and formats so that Bible-less people experience the word of God in a language they understand. Two dollars delivers a Bible to a waiting community.

How might God include your family in translating God’s word, delivering Bibles to frontline churches, and sharing the love of Jesus? Send truth, hope, and God’s word at biblical.com. And now, as we conclude, a blessing for you from Ephesians 1, 17-19. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know Him better.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, friend, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people and His incomparably great power for you who believe.