Biblical Sources for Answering Questions and Doubts
The Bible is presented as the authoritative source for answering questions and resolving doubts, providing wisdom, knowledge, and understanding [7, 8, 10, 11]. This authority stems from its divine inspiration, being "given by inspiration of God" and "by inspiration of the Holy Spirit" [7].
The Scriptures are referred to as "the Word," "Word of God," "Word of Christ," and "Word of truth," emphasizing their divine origin and reliability [7]. Christ himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [7].
Specific biblical passages illustrate how God reveals knowledge and answers questions. Amos 3:7 states that "the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets" [2]. This verse is cross-referenced with instances where God revealed his plans, such as to Abraham before the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 18:17) or to Samuel concerning Saul (1 Samuel 9:15) [2]. Similarly, Hebrews 11:7 highlights Noah's faith in building the ark based on divine warning about unseen events, demonstrating God's communication of future events [1].
The Bible also addresses the concept of God's wisdom, describing it as perfect, mighty, universal, infinite, unsearchable, and beyond human comprehension [6]. Proverbs 2:6 explicitly states, "For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding" [8]. This divine wisdom is the source from which all human wisdom is derived [6].
Regarding prayer, the Bible indicates that God answers prayers, sometimes immediately, sometimes after a delay, and sometimes in ways different from what was desired [4]. These answers are promised, especially in times of trouble, to those who seek God with all their heart and wait upon Him [4]. Access to God, which includes the ability to ask questions and seek answers, is granted through Christ and by the Holy Spirit, and is obtained through faith [9].
The Bible also touches on the nature of humanity and the afterlife, which can be sources of questions and doubts. Ecclesiastes 12:7 describes the return of the body to dust and the spirit to God who gave it, addressing fundamental questions about human existence and destiny [3]. The concept of a "star" arising from Jacob and a "scepter" from Israel in Numbers 24:17 points to future leadership and messianic hope, providing answers about divine plans [5].
one commentary tradition Jamieson, Fausset & Brown emphasizes that "Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice" [11]. It also notes that God's pronouncements are not obscure, unlike heathen oracles, and that when God commands seeking Him, it is not in vain [12].
Sources
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Hebrews 11:7 cross-references: Genesis 6:9, Genesis 6:13, Genesis 7:5, Genesis 7:23, Genesis 8:16, Genesis 19:14, Exodus 9:18, 2 Kings 4:5, Job 35:8, Proverbs 22:3, Proverbs 27:12, Ezekiel 3:17, Ezekiel 14:14, Ezekiel 14:20, Matthew 3:7, Matthew 12:41, Matthew 24:15, Matthew 24:25, Matthew 24:38, Luke 11:31, Luke 17:26, Romans 1:17, Romans 3:22, Romans 4:11, Romans 4:13, Romans 9:30, Romans 10:6, Galatians 5:5, Philippians 3:9, Hebrews 5:7, Hebrews 11:1, 1 Peter 3:20, 2 Peter 1:1, 2 Peter 2:5, 2 Peter 3:6”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Amos 3:7 cross-references: Genesis 6:13, Genesis 18:17, 1 Samuel 9:15, 1 Kings 22:19, 2 Kings 3:17, 2 Kings 6:12, 2 Kings 22:13, 2 Kings 22:20, Psalms 25:14, Isaiah 18:4, Jeremiah 23:22, Daniel 9:22, Daniel 10:21, Daniel 11:2, John 15:15, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:19, Revelation 4:1, Revelation 6:1”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Ecclesiastes 12:7 cross-references: Genesis 2:7, Genesis 3:19, Genesis 18:27, Numbers 16:22, Numbers 27:16, Job 4:19, Job 7:21, Job 20:11, Job 34:14, Job 34:15, Psalms 31:6, Psalms 90:3, Psalms 146:4, Ecclesiastes 3:20, Isaiah 57:16, Jeremiah 38:16, Daniel 12:2, Zechariah 12:1, Hebrews 12:9, Hebrews 12:23”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Prayer, Answers To — God gives -- Ps 99:6; 118:5; 138:3. Christ gives -- Joh 4:10,14; 14:14. Christ received -- Joh 11:42; Heb 5:7. Granted Through the grace of God. -- Isa 30:19. Sometimes immediately. -- Isa 65:24; Da 9:21,23; 10:12. Sometimes after delay. -- Lu 18:7. Sometimes differently from our desire. -- 2Co 12:8,9. Beyond expectation. -- Jer 33:3; Eph 3:20. Promised -- Isa 58:9; Jer 29:12; Mt 7:7. Promised especially in times of trouble -- Ps 50:15; 91:15. Received by those who Seek God. -- Ps 34:4. Seek God with all the heart. -- Jer 29:12,13. Wait upon God.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Numbers 24:17 cross-references: Genesis 4:25, Genesis 5:3, Genesis 49:10, Numbers 21:29, 1 Samuel 14:38, 2 Samuel 8:2, 2 Kings 3:5, 2 Kings 3:26, 1 Chronicles 18:2, Job 19:25, Psalms 45:6, Psalms 72:8, Psalms 78:70, Psalms 110:2, Isaiah 9:7, Isaiah 15:1, Jeremiah 48:1, Jeremiah 48:45, Zechariah 10:4, Zechariah 12:10, Matthew 2:2, Luke 1:32, Luke 1:78, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:19, Jude 1:11, Jude 1:14, Revelation 1:7, Revelation 11:15, Revelation 22:16”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Proverbs “For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. -- Proverbs 2:6”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 8:9: dismayed--confounded. what wisdom--literally, "the wisdom of what?" that is, "wisdom in what respect?" the Word of the Lord being the only true source of wisdom (Psa 119:98-100; Pro 1:7; Pro 9:10).”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:16: Scripture is the true source of all authority in questions of doctrine and practice. Be ye . . . for I am--It is I with whom ye have to do. Ye are mine. Therefore abstain from Gentile pollutions. We are too prone to have respect unto men [CALVIN]. As I am the fountain of holiness, being holy in My essence, be ye therefore zealous to be partakers of holiness, that ye may be as I also am [DIDYMUS]. God is essentially holy: the creature is holy in so far as it is sanctified by God. God, in giving the command, is willing to give also the power to obey i”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 45:19: not . . . secret--not like the heathen oracles which gave their responses from dark caverns, with studied obscurity (Isa 48:16). Christ plainly quotes these words, thereby identifying Himself with Jehovah (Joh 18:20). I said not . . . Seek . . . in vain--When I commanded you to seek Me (Jehovah did so, Isa 45:11, "Ask Me," &c.), it was not in order that ye might be sent empty away (Deu 32:47). Especially in Israel's time of trial, God's interposition, in behalf of Zion hereafter, is expressly stated as about to be the answer to prayer (Isa 62:6-10; ”