Greatest Question in the Bible

What is the greatest question in the Bible? For anyone committed to George Geftakys (Brother George) and his ministry, the answer to this is very easy, "What is man?" In fact, I believe he gave a seminar under this title, though it was before I was involved. Nevertheless, because this was a frequent theme over the years, I learned many insightful teachings regarding what man is. Certainly God has a wonderful plan and purpose for mankind and we are unique, in that we are the objects of His mercies. (Heb 2:16)

However, since leaving the Assembly, and seeing things from without, I have gained a new perspective on Assembly teachings and their emphasis. As one diligently gives himself to yielding one’s entire being morning by morning to God, (according to George, this is in seven levels and three parts, in The Heavenly Ladder, by George Geftakys) is our focus really turned upon God or ourselves? According to George, a person must begin his or her time in God’s presence with worship, humility, confession, and then yielding, followed by filling, meditating, intercession, and then silence. Does this seem like a lot to perform for a God that loves and has clearly demonstrated His intention to freely give us all things? (Rom 8:32)

Let us look at what many of us have been taught is the greatest question in The Bible. (Ps 8:4) and quoted in (Heb 2:6)

"What is man, that You art mindful of him? And the son of man, that You visit him?"

Clearly the emphasis is that the psalmist is amazed that God would even think about us. We are nothing in comparison to Him! The only reason we exist, are able to do anything, or have any hope at all, or any value to anybody is only because of God and His overwhelming tender mercies, (Lam 3:22). Interestingly, the Hebrew word used for "man" in Ps 8:6 is "enosh." (Strong’s 582) "Mortal," from (605) "frail, feeble, melancholy, desperately wicked, incurable, sick, woeful." This certainly applies to a person who didn’t finish all seven parts of all three phases of his morning time!

"Enosh" is first seen in Gen 4:26 where we read "and he called his name Enosh: then began men to call upon the name of the LORD." In our weakness we can come to God and in His mercy, He hears us. Joel 2:32 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be delivered." Notice the "whosoever." Jonah 2:7-9 "When my soul fainted within me I remembered the LORD: and my prayer came into unto You, into Your holy temple. They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy. But I will sacrifice unto You with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that which I have vowed. Salvation is of the LORD."

Truly, the amazing thing is how great our God is and that He cares so much about us. He is all-powerful and has already done everything for us. (Ps 57:2) Seeing Him seems much more profitable than knowing all about ourselves. Perhaps the greatest question in the Bible is not, "What is man?" but rather, "Who is God?" The choice is yours.

Greg Tobin

November 29th, 2002