When someone asks the question “why?” it is because they are looking for an answer to something they do not know, but are interested in knowing. Young children, as they are growing up, are full of wonderment and ask many questions beginning with the word “why?” When they ask this question, they are hoping to get a response beginning with, “because.”  Sometimes we wonder about something and there is no real answer and we continue wondering. There is no “because.” For example, when a parent has given all their time, effort and means to raise a child and this child rejects the parents as they age, or turn to a life of crime—totally opposite to the principles they were raised with, the parents wonder and ask “why?” Where did they go wrong? Or did they?  Is there no “because” answer?

There are times when there is a clear “because,” answer to the “why?” question. When the Lord gives clear guidelines and commands, and we choose to do something else, things may not go so well. At these times we may be led to ask the Lord “why?” and He may give us a “because” answer.

The captives who returned from Babylon likely wondered why their crops were failing. The Lord, in His mercy, told them there was a reason. “Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts.” The answer was, “Because of Mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.”  Haggai 1:9. There was a reason that their personal interests did not prosper. It was because they were putting their own personal interests ahead of the Lord’s interests so the Lord, “did blow upon it.” Have we been guilty of the same? Has the Lord blown up on our interests?

When we sin and things go wrong, if we ask God “why?” He may say, “Why criest thou for thine affliction? thy sorrow is incurable for the multitude of thine iniquity: because thy sins were increased, I have done these things unto thee.” Jeremiah 30:15. Rather than always going to ask the Lord “why?” perhaps we should ask ourselves “why?” Have we done anything to bring upon ourselves these negative consequences?  For example, are we sick because we have violated the laws of health? Or struggling financially because we have not been faithful in our financial obligations to the Lord?

It is at these times of difficulty that we are tempted to say, “Why standest Thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest Thou Thyself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1.  “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? why art Thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?  Psalm 22:1. Perhaps the Lord may seem to be standing afar. Maybe it is, “your iniquities have separated between you and your God,” Isaiah 59:2. He is closer, however, than you may realize and He may have a “because” answer for you as He did the nation of Judah.

Joshua wondered why the army of Israel suffered defeat at the hands of the men of Ai after the remarkable victory in Jericho. The Lord gave him a “because” answer. It was because there was sin in the camp of Israel—Achan had stolen something that was not his to have. Joshua then asked Achan, “Why hast thou troubled us?” Nothing is recorded as to what Achan responded; we do, however, read of his punishment.  “The LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.” Joshua 7:25. Our sin may affect more than just ourselves; it may affect the entire church. They why sin?

In the wilderness it is recorded of Ancient Israel that on several occasions they said they did not understand the will of God in bringing them out of Egypt, although they should have. “Ye have despised the LORD which is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, Why came we forth out of Egypt?” Numbers 11:20. “And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?  And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? It is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.” Numbers 20:4–5. I am sure many of us have been tempted to doubt the Lord’s leading if things are not going according to our plans. “Why should I keep Sabbath when I cannot find employment? Is it really that important?” The Lord says to continue going forward and upward, regardless of the circumstances around you and do not doubt His leading, or the importance of obeying His law. Do not always ask “Why?” Just obey. Abraham never asked the Lord “why?” when he was asked to sacrifice his only son. He just obeyed, and in the end he was greatly blessed.

The prophet Jeremiah had a message that was not very popular. The people did not want to hear it nor believe it. In fact, they vehemently opposed his message at times and asked him, “Why hast thou prophesied in the name of the LORD, saying, This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate without an inhabitant? And all the people were gathered against Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.” Jeremiah 26:9.  But the Lord had His own “why” questions to ask in response to the people’s questionings. “Why then is this people of Jerusalem slidden back by a perpetual backsliding? they hold fast deceit, they refuse to return.” Jeremiah 8:5. “Why have they provoked Me to anger with their graven images, and with strange vanities?”  Jeremiah 8:19. The question of “why?” was asked many times by the Lord before the nation of Judah was taken into captivity by the Babylonians. Why did they choose not to serve Him? There is no “because” answer recorded in the Bible that the people gave in answer to the Lord’s questions.

Jeremiah basically told the King of Judah to surrender to a foreign power if he and his people wanted to live. “I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him and his people, and live. Why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the LORD hath spoken against the nation that will not serve the king of Babylon?  Therefore hearken not unto the words of the prophets that speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon: for they prophesy a lie unto you.” Jeremiah 27:12–14 (emphasis mine). I am sure many in Israel were wondering why they should surrender, and were doubting the validity of Jeremiah’s message. It just did not make sense. They were God’s holy nation and surely He would protect them from evil and would not expect them to surrender. However, they were wrong; the Lord did expect them to surrender to Babylon. The Lord clearly told them what they had to do to live, but still they chose their own way, so He simply asked them, “Why will ye die?” The Lord was true to His words that He spoke through His prophet. Sometimes the ways of the Lord do not seem to make sense to us, but we cannot doubt or question. We have to obey. Is the Lord asking you also, “Why will ye die?”

The Lord often wonders why we do not trust Him at all times—in good times and difficult times. It takes faith to trust His leading in times of trouble. He is the Omnipotent God that has ultimate control of all the universe. “And He saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then He arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.  But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of Man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!” Matthew 8:26–27. Are you fearful? Do you have little faith?

Although, we do not always understand the ways of the Lord, that is no reason to doubt His leading. Job likely wondered why he was going through all his trials. In the end he had a deeper understanding of the love and mercy of God. Job said, “the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:21–22

IN CHURCH RELATIONS

In church relations, the question of “why?” is raised in different scenarios. However, the root cause is always associated with different kinds of sin.

“But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10

“And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?” Matthew 7:3

The Apostle Paul related the experience of Moses. When Moses saw two Israelites fighting, he said, “Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?”  Acts 7:26. It has happened in God’s church where some

have been fighting against their brethren. We saw it happen with the SDA believers in time of World War I. There have been many who have left the church of God who have had this spirit. The Lord separates the chaff from the wheat in His time.

The Pharisees did not understand Jesus’ mission. He just did not do things according to their way of thinking. “Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?” Matthew 9:11. Is there favouritism seen in your church?

I pray that the Lord does not need to ask these “why?” questions to you personally or to your local church. If He did, what would you answer Him?

WHY TARRY?

Then the Lord asks us why we are standing around tarrying when there is work to do. “Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11. The angels encouraged the disciples to stop just standing and looking. Jesus will come back soon enough; however, at the moment, there was a great work for them to do. Many like to listen and observe good religious meetings and sermons, which is well and good, but there is a time to stop just sitting and listening and a time to get up and go to work.

Also, there are some people who know and understand the truths but are slow in making their decision to be baptized and fully consecrated to the Lord. If you are one of these people the Lord is asking you, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16. What excuse will you offer the Lord if He asks you?

Some may delay for many years and “kick against the pricks,” as did Saul. But finally one day Saul yielded “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?  Whatever you have done to the least of these my brethren you have done it unto Me.” Acts 9:4. Not all do yield. Delay can be deadly.

WHY SIN?

Not every “why?” question has a clear “because” answer. The Lord asks, “Oh, why are the human agents so ready to yield to temptation? So irresolute in purpose, so weak to practise the word of God? Why are they so feeble in action? Why is the glory of Jesus so dimly seen? Why is His preciousness so little realized, His love so imperfectly experienced?” –Testimonies to Southern Africa, p. 47. “Ye have not obeyed My voice: why have ye done this?” Judges 2:2. What kind of answer can be given? Is there an answer? Is the Lord asking you these questions?

There is one big “why?” that many serious Christians wonder about at one point in time and it is, “Why did sin enter?” What caused Lucifer to doubt the love of God and rebel against His authority? There is no answer to this question. And many evil rulers on this earth have followed in his footsteps. “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against His anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” Psalm 2:1–3. Again, is there any answer?

The God of heaven asks “why?” He has given all of heaven for the salvation of man yet still the majority reject His offers of mercy. From the very beginning of this earth’s history God was asking this question of “why?” “And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?” Genesis 4:6.  The Lord saw the discontent on the face of Cain and asked him “Why?” The Lord had given specific instructions on how to worship and what sacrifices to give. Cain chose to do things his own way; not the way of the Lord. When the Lord did not accept his service, what reason did he have for being upset with the Lord? Jesus can always read the thoughts and see the troubled countenance and He may come to you and ask, “Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” Luke 24:38. What reason do we have to doubt or be discouraged when He is in control of our lives? Is He in control; have you fully surrendered?

When we sin, and the Lord asks us “why?” do we have a “because” answer to give Him? Yes, people come up with all kinds of excuses (“because”); they blame others as did Adam and Eve; they blame circumstances; they blame human weakness; and the list goes on and on. In the world people mockingly say, “The devil made me do it.” Is that an excuse? “The strongest temptation is no excuse for sin. No matter how severe the pressure brought to bear upon you, sin is your own act. The seat of the difficulty is the unrenewed heart.” –The Adventist Home, p. 433. “Can we not understand that the most costly thing in the world is sin? It is at the expense of purity of conscience, at the cost of losing the favor of God and separating the soul from Him, and at last losing heaven.” –Faith and Works, p. 17. Why on earth would anyone want to sin? This is a mystery.

Not even ignorance can be excused. We live in a world of “enlightenment” with Bibles freely available in most parts of the world.  “Ignorance is no excuse for error or sin, when there is every opportunity to know the will of God.” –The Great Controversy, p. 597. Some have stopped studying God’s word for fear of what more He may require of them. They prefer to keep a quiet conscience. The Lords asks them, “why?”

Satan has fed people so many lies that they have believed—lies about the love of God, the excitement of the world, hell fire is nothing to be so fearful about, heaven is boring, and that it is impossible to overcome sin. Why on earth would people want to listen to him and not the word of God?

When the laws of health are violated, the Lord asks, “Why shouldest thou destroy thyself? why shouldest thou die before thy time?” Ecclesiastes 7:16–17. He has told us how to eat to be healthy. Why? He wonders, would you want to poison your body and be sickly?

The angels also ask “why?” They are wondering how mankind could reject the love of God so freely given. “Our heavenly Father waits to bestow upon us the fullness of His blessing. It is our privilege to drink largely at the fountain of boundless love. What a wonder it is that we pray so little! God is ready and willing to hear the sincere prayer of the humblest of His children, and yet there is much manifest reluctance on our part to make known our wants to God. What can the angels of heaven think of poor helpless human beings, who are subject to temptation, when God’s heart of infinite love yearns toward them, ready to give them more than they can ask or think, and yet they pray so little and have so little faith? The angels love to bow before God; they love to be near Him. They regard communion with God as their highest joy; and yet the children of earth, who need so much the help that God only can give, seem satisfied to walk without the light of His Spirit, the companionship of His presence.” –Steps to Christ, p. 94. Why?

Is the Lord asking you today, “Why do ye these things?” Acts 14:15. If so, what answer will you give Him? Perhaps before the Lord asks you this questions, you should ask yourself the question of “why?” When you are about to do something that you know the Lord would not be pleased with, stop and ask yourself “why . . . why am I doing this?”

In the end when people are lost, will they be asking God “why?” No, “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” Philippians 2:10. “All see that their exclusion from heaven is just.” –The Great Controversy, p. 668

This is the Lord’s answer to “why sin?” He states that there is sin, “because” . . . but He does not state what motivated a person to sin in the first place. The reason why we have so few men of good mind, of stability and solid worth, is that God is not feared, God is not loved, the principles of religion are not carried out in the life as they should be.” –The Great Controversy, p. 507. Here we are given a reason as to why there are few people with good solid faith in God. But, why?

“The world today is in crying need of a revelation of Christ Jesus in the person of His saints. God desires that His people shall stand before the world a holy people. Why—because there is a world to be saved by the light of gospel truth; and as the message of truth that is to call men out of darkness into God’s marvelous light is given by the church, the lives of its members, sanctified by the Spirit of truth, are to bear witness to the verity of the messages proclaimed.” –Testimonies to Ministers, p. 458 (emphasis mine)

“Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.  Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?  For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” Ezekiel 18: 30–32 (emphasis mine).

Why will you die?  Surrender to the Lord and live. Amen.

Wendy Eaton