Mighty, majestic, awesome. Gracious, loving, kind. Such descriptors for God are common, and rightly so. But how many of us would add “playful” to the list? How many of us think of God as the One who toys with us—the holy riddler?
“Son of man,” God commands Ezekiel, “give this riddle, and tell this story to the people of Israel” (Ezekiel 17:2). What follows is a warning of judgment couched in a tale of two eagles. “My loved one had a vineyard,” sings the prophet Isaiah, with a description of Israel’s fruitlessness following (Isaiah 5). The prophet Nathan, led by God, told King David a story about a “little ewe lamb” that exposed the shame of David’s infidelity (2 Samuel 12:1-10). The meaning behind such riddles may be dire, but the method is playful—God being coy and indirect with us, using puzzles and parables to see if we have “ears to hear.”
“The kingdom of heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed . . . like a mustard seed . . . like a treasure . . . like a fishing net” (Matthew 13:24-52). When the holy riddler took on flesh, He came telling tales of farmers and fishermen, of lamps and tenants (Mark 4:21-23, 12:1-12), of salt and children (Luke 14:34-35; Mark 9:36-37). Jesus taught little without using such riddles (Matthew 13:34) and while His audience was often let in on the riddle’s meaning, the practice often frustrated His disciples! (John 16:29).
But the holy riddler delivers His puzzles with a purpose. He speaks in parables to reveal spiritual truth (Matthew 13:35), but also to weed out those who don’t truly want to hear (vv.11-15). He throws out a hook to see if we’ll bite. Our response to God’s riddles shows how much we really want to know of Him.
More:
Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles (Proverbs 1:5-6).
Next:
How quick are you to read over Jesus’ “riddles” and parables without really reflecting on them? Which of the parables hold particular significance for you right now?
Ryu on July 19, 2010 at 3:46 am
I think it will always hard to understand God’s parable without reading HIS words. I believe we will more likely able to interpret the “hidden” message by learning from His words and asking Him for the guidance.
tony rodriguez on July 19, 2010 at 8:41 am
I BELIEVE GOD SPEAKS TO US IN PARABLES AND RIDDLES ALSO JUST TO PUT A SPARK ON OUR IMAGINATION. TO DEEPEN OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HIM AND HIS WAYS SO THAT WE WOULD LOOK AT THE SMALLER THINGS OF THIS WORLD WITH SPIRITUAL EYES. THE SPARK THEN AS WE ALLOW IT TO GROW BECOMES A FIRE FOR HIM TO USE US. HE CONFOUNDS THE WISE WITH THE FOOLISH THINGS OF THIS WORLD, SO THAT WHAT WOULD BE FOOLISHNESS TO SOMEONE WHO DOESN’T KNOW OR UNDERSTAND HIM OR HIS WORD WHEN EXPLAINED BY AN EARTHEN VESSEL WHO HAS SAT AT HIS FEET TO LISTEN AND TO LEARN FROM THE MOST HIGH WOULD FOR HIS GLORY DRAW THE MORE TO HIM. . I HOPE THIS MAKES SENSE TO YOU ALL. GOD BLESS YOU MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS.
sheridan voysey on July 19, 2010 at 5:35 pm
Yes, Tony! I find it amazing to think that God speaks to us using forms that appeal to our imagination. He’s a creative God – one to inspire the artists.
pakkir on July 19, 2010 at 9:40 pm
It is indeed true that our Lord wants to sift and see who the true listeners are. that is why He said once Take heed how you hear! If we have ears to hear let us hear! God Bless
sheridan voysey on July 19, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Rye and Chileshe, I think this is exactly what God’s ‘riddles’ are intended to do – beckon us to come closer and engage His word more fully. It amazes me that he would do that using creativity.