Matthew 7 Verse 7 Ask

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Short Summary
The discourse explores the significance of Jesus’ invitation to “ask, seek, and knock,” emphasizing the importance of persistent and faithful prayer as a means to deepen one’s relationship with God and gain wisdom. It highlights biblical examples, such as Abraham, Job, Solomon, and Jesus himself, illustrating how asking in humility and faith leads to divine guidance, understanding, and blessings. The message concludes with the assurance that God’s wisdom is revealed through creation and scripture, and that ultimately, Jesus will inherit dominion as part of God’s sovereign plan.

Long Summary
Detailed Bullet-Point Summary of the Discourse on “Ask, Seek, Knock” and Related Biblical Teachings

Introduction to the Topic:
– The discourse focuses on the biblical teaching from Jesus in Matthew 7:7 about the three forms of inquiry: ask, seek, and knock.
– The speaker notes the literary and grammatical significance of this repetition, explaining stylistic grammar terms such as lexical repetition, structural repetition, anaphora (repetition at the beginning of clauses), epiphora (repetition at the end), and reduplication (repetition for emphasis or rhythm).
– These three verbs emphasize increasing degrees of pursuit in seeking divine knowledge.

Context of Jesus’ Teaching:
– Jesus gave this teaching during the Sermon on the Mount, elaborating how followers could discover God’s will and Heavenly Father’s plans.
– The discourse relates to Matthew 7:7-8:
> “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth, and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.”
– Jesus stresses the importance of prayerful asking as an expression of dependence on God, acceptance of His wisdom, and gratitude.

The Role of Childlike Faith:
– Jesus’ teaching on humility and childlikeness is highlighted through Matthew 18:3:
> “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
– Children’s natural inclination to ask questions symbolizes the appropriate approach to God — humble, trusting, and seeking truth.
– The Expanded Biblical Comment notes disciples initially struggled with this simplicity, desiring dignity fitting their future positions.

Apostle Paul’s Guidance:
– First Corinthians 14:20 is cited:
> “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”
– Paul encourages spiritual maturity in understanding while maintaining innocence and purity.
– Christians’ prayers should come from a pure heart and clean conscience, modeled after Nathanael’s guilelessness.

Meaning and Frequency of “Ask”:
– “Ask” as a verb appears 103 times in the Bible.
– It means posing a question or making a request, emphasizing the active seeking of information or assistance.
– The discourse recognizes modern parallels, such as asking for directions replaced by GPS, but prayer remains vital.

Purpose of Asking God:
– Even though God knows our needs (Matthew 6:8), asking is important because it demonstrates faith, humility, and recognition of God’s providence.
– Jesus gave the Lord’s Prayer as a model for requests.
– Luke 11:13 emphasizes that God gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask.
– Faith is essential for answered prayer (Matthew 21:22):
> “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
– Persistent prayer is encouraged (Luke 18:1) and must be sincere and heartfelt (James 5:16).

Paul’s Instructions on Prayer:
– 1 Timothy 2:8 advises praying without anger or disputing.
– Asking reflects humility and the desire to move from ignorance toward understanding.

Old Testament Examples of Asking and Prayer:
– Hebrews 1:1 recognizes that God spoke to the fathers through prophets before Christ.
– Ancient worthies like Abraham had a relationship with God based on faith and humility.
– Genesis 12:1 records God’s instruction to Abraham to leave his country.
– James 2:23 affirms Abraham’s faith was counted as righteousness and calls him the “friend of God.”

Job’s Teaching on Nature and Wisdom (Job 12:7-8):
– Job encourages asking the beasts and birds for wisdom, illustrating that God’s wisdom is evident in creation.
– This teaches humility and recognition that God’s wisdom transcends human understanding.
– Romans 1:20 is echoed, highlighting that God’s attributes are evident in creation.
– The verse invites practical application by observing natural cycles and behaviors as lessons in patience and care.

Solomon’s Prayer for Wisdom (1 Kings 3:5-9):
– God asks Solomon what he desires; Solomon asks for an understanding heart to judge rightly.
– This pleased God because Solomon sought wisdom over personal gain.
– James 1:5-8 encourages believers to ask God for wisdom with unwavering faith.

Prophetic Questions and Divine Answers:
– Daniel 12:6-7 records a question about the “end of these wonders,” answered by the “man clothed in linen” (interpreted as the Logos/Christ).
– The answer involves prophetic time periods related to the tribulation and restoration of Israel.

Psalm 2:7-8 and Jesus’ Future Dominion:
– God invites the Son to ask for the heathen as His inheritance:
> “Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.”
– Jesus will receive worldwide dominion after the completion of the church.
– Psalm 2 describes earthly rulers opposing God’s Anointed, paralleling current world events.
– The psalm encapsulates the long struggle between God’s kingdom and worldly powers.

Summary and Closing:
– The discourse ties together biblical instructions on asking, seeking, and knocking as essential to spiritual growth.
– It highlights the necessity of faith, humility, persistence, and purity in prayer.
– The teaching spans both Old and New Testament examples showing God’s willingness to respond to those who ask in faith.
– The ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises involves Christ’s reign over the earth, as foretold in prophecy.

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Key Bible Verses Mentioned:

– Matthew 7:7-8 — “Ask, and it shall be given you…”
– Matthew 6:8 — “Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of before ye ask them.”
– Matthew 18:3 — “Except ye be converted, and become as little children…”
– 1 Corinthians 14:20 — “Be not children in understanding…”
– Luke 11:13 — “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts… how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit…”
– Matthew 21:22 — “All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
– Luke 18:1 — “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.”
– James 5:16 — “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”
– 1 Timothy 2:8 — “I will that men pray everywhere… lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting.”
– Hebrews 1:1 — “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past…”
– Genesis 12:1 — “Get thee out of thy country…”
– James 2:23 — “Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness…”
– Job 12:7-8 — “Ask now the beasts… and they shall teach thee…”
– Romans 1:20 — God’s invisible attributes seen in creation.
– 1 Kings 3:5-9 — God’s appearance to Solomon and Solomon’s request for wisdom.
– James 1:5-8 — “If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God…”
– Daniel 12:6-7 — Question about the time of the end.
– Psalm 2:7-8 — “Ask of me… the heathen for thine inheritance…”

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This detailed summary captures the discourse’s theological insights, scriptural references, and practical applications on the biblical theme of asking God in prayer, emphasizing humility, faith, and persistent seeking of divine wisdom and guidance.

Transcript

I’ve been given the task of the ask portion, and Brother John already read the Scripture, so I won’t do that, and have you ever wondered why the Lord posed the question in three forms of inquiry? You know, ask, seek, and knock. Is it some kind of literary form? Well, we’re not really interested in that so much as we might want to know a little bit about what AI says.

The term for using repetitive verbs in a sentence the general term for using the same verb in a closely related verb repeatedly in a sentence or passage is called repetition or repetitive verb use. In stylistic grammar, this can be described as lexical repetition when the same word or root is is repeated, or structural repetition when the same grammatical pattern is reused. If the repetition is intentional and rhythmic, it may be called anaphora, which is repeating the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences, like we’ll fight on the beaches, we’ll fight on the lands, and so forth. Or epiphora, which is repeating the same word or phrase to the end of successive clauses or sentences, such as see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, or reduplication, which is repeating a word or part of a word for emphasis or rhythm. For example, she’s happy, happy to help.

All three of these words were used by Master to make it abundantly clear to his followers about how to learn of him who is lowly of heart. My task is to consider the ask portion of the Scripture here at the General and my first thought was when I was given the topic, the portion was the comparative aspect. Each of the words, I mean each word seems to to me to suggest an increasing degree of information, pursuit, ask, seek, and knock, and maybe my brothers here will address that issue in this case. It was our Lord from his Sermon on the Mount, according to Matthew, telling all those present how to discover desired knowledge of His Heavenly Father’s plans, soon to be theirs.

Jesus statement on the Mount included a multitude of instructions and blessings, concluding with an admonition to be perfect, like their Heavenly Father in heaven is perfect. You notice that there is a significant emphasis on asking God here and all throughout the Scriptures, and we can reason from these admonitions that our Heavenly Father places a great deal of importance on this practice of asking. Because when we by prayerful asking we show our need and dependence on him. We show our acceptance of his wisdom, we show our appreciation for his provisions, and every prayer is really an asking of the Lord.

The apostles asked Jesus some questions upon being asked by his disciples, who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. He calls a little child unto him and teaches them a lesson. He said, verily I say unto you, except ye be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven. By introducing the principle just stated, Jesus precedes his statement with a verily I say. This usage of communication was used to convey a serious and solemn instruction.

So Jesus was saying, in a sense Listen up. Children are known to have a myriad of questions of their parents, grandparents, teachers, and others. They know how to ask and for sure, lacking life’s experiences for the most part, children are searching for truth and direction in their lives. They are inclined to believe those in authority because of their trustful nature. An excerpt from the expanded Biblical Comment states, as natural unlearned men, the disciples had no doubt been aiming as far as possible from childlike simplicity to assume the dignity of mind they considered appropriate to their future high positions.

The Apostle Paul frames this discussion in a follow on manner when he says in First Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. Regarding malice, the apostle recognizes the innocence of youth which should follow us all through our consecration. We should attempt to be like Nathanael, who Jesus recognized as having no guile. Thus our prayers should be to ask for a pure heart and a clean conscience. The word ask can be a verb or it can be a noun.

Generally means to pose a question to someone seeking information for our discussion, it will be a verb. It occurs as such 103 times in the Bible. Asking is the act of inquiring about a topic of interest, or to do something or give something to you. It can also be a request, like asking for directions on the driving route. Although today we have our GPSs and they’re not quite as often needed to ask.

Our themed text takes us to the time when Jesus addressed a multitude who had just heard what is known as the Beatitudes, followed up by teachings both prophetic of his emerging ministry and concepts new to his hearers. Comparing the requirements of the Law to his new Law so it was appropriate that Jesus change his method of address by telling them to telling them, and this is a paraphrase. If you have questions, here’s the way to find out answers. Jesus had just told them in Matthew 6, 8 that your father knoweth what things you have need of before you ask them.

And then as an aside, we hear the world saying, well, if God already knows what things we need, what is the reason for asking? Well, we know. We all know by our personal contact with our Heavenly Father that it pleases him to acknowledge our need and gratitude toward him. So what should we pray for more of His Spirit, an increase of faith and to direct our paths? Afterwards, Jesus gives his audience what has come to be known as the Lord’s Prayer.

He follows up with a directive ask in Matthew 7:7 and explains that it will be given to you to cement this promise. Jesus further states that everyone that asketh receiveth verse 8 and when he contrasts giving of evil of an evil earthly father giving good gifts to his children to the heavenly Father giving good gifts, especially of the Holy Spirit, Luke 11:13 by this Jesus illustrates his attentive care over his people. We further learn in Jesus teaching that there are conditions required for a satisfactory response to a request. In Matthew 21:22 we read all things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing ye shall receive, and believing is the key word here.

It must come from a heart full of faith, full of faith toward the Lord. Prayer is required as always in Luke 18:1 where he said, and he spakest parable unto them to his end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint, and even Jesus had to pray, James tells us in 5:16 we are told that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much fervent in that it must be sincere and honest and heartfelt before the Lord. Remember he can read our hearts. Righteous one must be covered by the blood of Jesus, bearing his righteousness, consecration and consecrated, and then it will be effectual.

In First Timothy 2, 8 Paul wishes that men would pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting, which means without disputing. Asking indicates a spirit of humility coming from a point of misunderstanding or ignorance to a better, more informed understanding. So we’re not without multiple examples of Old Testament ancient worthies and their prayers and responses. We’re told by the apostle in Hebrews 1:1 that God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the world. By the prophets hath he in these last days spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed.

Prayer was made by the ancient worthies, even though Jesus had not come yet to explain the process of prayer. But the ancients learned of God through their innate faith derived from humility as they observed the natural creation. This led to prayer and to asking God questions and having personal experience with that. When I used to go camping, I eventually was drawn to the Heavenly Father through the nature that I saw in the Bible, following the scattering of the peoples from the tower of Babel, we are introduced to the lineage of Shem, extending down to Father Abraham. Let’s look at a few of the Old Testament worthies who asked and or communed with our heavenly Father.

Abraham’s first record of the instruction from Jehovah to get thee out of thy country and from thy kindred and from from thy Father’s house unto a land that I will show thee. It’s found in Genesis 12:1. We can surmise from the biblical evidence that Abraham possessed a familiarity of God and that’s a relationship that a relationship was already in place that derived from the abundant faith of Abraham in the New Testament. James speaks of Abraham in James 2:23, where he says, and the Scripture was fulfilled, which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, and he was called the friend of God. The Jamison Fawcett Brown commentary expresses it this way.

It pleased God, who has been found of them that sought him not to reveal himself to Abraham, perhaps by a miracle, and the conversion of Abraham is one of the most remarkable in Bible history.

So now we see Abraham calling on the name of the lord in Genesis 13:4, where he had previously made an altar, and there Abram called on the name of the Lord in response to the patriarch Job’s three friends. He tells them in Job 12:7, Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee, and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee. What a strange request of his three friends, and what do the beasts and fowls tell him?

In verse 8 we read the tabernacles of robbers prosper, that they provide God. They that provide provoke God are secure into whose hands God bringeth abundantly. This seems counterintuitive to biblical teaching, especially of Jesus teaching. But the Bible tells us that the righteous prosper. But when?

Well, the answer is in the millennial age of the mediatorial reign of Jesus Christ and his church. But Job, in defending his position against the charges of Zophar, one of his three friends points out that the beasts shall teach us, and so the birds of the air, even the fish of the sea. I pulled down an AI understanding of job 128 with your permission or forgiveness, whichever the literal meaning you know, AI tells us there’s three meanings of job 12 8. A literal meaning, a theological understanding, and a practical application. You can be the judge.

The verse is part of Job’s poetic the literal meaning. The verse is part of Job’s poetic rebuttal to his friends who claim to have wisdom. Job argues that wisdom is not exclusive to humans, but is evident in creation itself. He calls on people to speak to or ask the earth and the sea creatures, suggesting that by observing and reflecting on the natural world, one can learn profound truths.

The theological understanding the comment is nature as a teacher. The earth and the fishes of the sea are not just physical entities, but symbols of God’s creation. Their patterns, cycles, behaviors all reveal God’s wisdom, power and providence, the universal knowledge of God. Job implies that even animals and fish without human language declare God’s work. This echoes in Romans 1:20, where God’s invisible attributes are seen in creation and wisdom.

Beyond the human, Job challenges the idea that only humans possess wisdom. The verse encourages humility, recognizing that God’s wisdom is accessible to all who observe creation, and in practical application, the observation of creation take time to notice the seasons, animal behaviors, natural cycles. These can teach lessons about patience, resilience, and God’s care. Just look at the fawns out here on the campus.

Spiritual reflection Nature can draw us back to God, especially, especially when we feel spiritually lost or disconnected regarding humility and learning. The verse invites us to value simple, everyday observations as sources of wisdom and not just academic study. So the context in Job is Job is suffering but remains faithful. His friends accuse him of wrongdoing, but Job insists that he knows the same truths as they claim. By appealing to creation, he shows that God’s wisdom is evidence in all of it, not just in human reasoning.

So in summary, job 128 is a call to recognize that God’s wisdom is revealed in the natural world.

An intriguing scripture is recorded for us in First Kings, chapter 3, verses 5 through 6. When God asks When Solomon. When God tells Solomon to ask him what he should give to him. We read in 1st Kings in Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God asked, said, ask what I shall give thee.

And Solomon said, thou hast showed unto thy servant David, my father, great, great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness and uprightness of heart with thee, and thou hast kept him in this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on the throne as it is today, and we learn from Solomon’s request in verse 9, give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil, good and bad for he who is able to judge this so great a people, and of course we all know about the account of the dividing of the baby we know from the following verses that this request pleased the Lord, especially since Solomon didn’t ask for personal benefits like long life, riches or the life of his enemies, but asked for wisdom. In James Chapter one, verses five through eight we read, if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God that giveth to all men liberally and upbraideth not, and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering, for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea, driven from the wind and tossed for let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. We would be remiss if we didn’t consider the question in the Book of Daniel, chapter 12, verse six and quote and one said to the man clothed in linen who was above the water of the river, how long shall it be to the end of these wonders? End quote we’re all familiar with the opera opening verses of Daniel 12 that speak of Michael standing up, the great prince that standeth for the children of thy people Israel. In verse 7 the answer is provided by the man clothed in linen we believe to be the Logos who was above the waters of the river, that it shall be for a time, times and a half, when they have made an end of the breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.

So an answer to a question provides centuries of Bible scholar study for Bible scholars and Bible students. So we’ll close with one of the most profound questions asked, and it’s made by Jehovah himself. In Psalms 2, verses 8, he addresses the Son, the Logos. Verse 7 he says, Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Paraphrasing the Expanded Bible Comments Again we learn that Jesus will not ask for the world until his church is complete and gathered to glory.

He is contented with the times and the seasons outlined by the Father, and will eventually receive the worldwide dominion as given in Isaiah 60, verse 2. The heathen are identified in verse 1 as nations who rage, and the people imagine a vain thing. The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together and against the Lord, and against his anointed saying, let us break the bands asunder and cast their cords away, their cords from us, much like we see going on today in our world. In Psalm 2, verses 7 through 10 we have evidently our Lord phrasing the entire plan of the ages in an interrogatory manner. Thus, we have experienced over 6,000 years of sin and death at the hands of these heathen kings, soon to become the possession of his anointed Jesus.

Amen and praise the Lord.

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