When I worked in the California courts we had a much beloved Spanish language interpreter. Her job was to assist Spanish speaking defendants and witnesses in court proceedings so that they could understand what was happening and make an informed response. It was important that this occur in real time, otherwise they were left confused as to what had transpired. This interpreter worked for the court for many years, continuing into her 90’s. Unfortunately, the passage of the years took a toll on her skills and at the conclusion of her career it was observed that she was no longer translating in real time, but in her final court appearance leaned over to the defendant and told him “I’ll tell you later…” This was, of course, unacceptable.
In reading and studying the Bible I came to think about her. There are many things that challenge my understanding – that is to say, things that I don’t understand at all. We are told that God is not a respecter of persons, but why would He kill countless, nameless people to make a point and to punish an earthly king as He did in the Old Testament? Did He know and love each of these that He killed? What about Job? In chapter 42 of Job we read that God replaced all that Job had lost. This may be fine for livestock, but can new children replace the children that you lost? I’ve prayed on these things, and it is almost as though the Holy Spirit answered with “I’ll tell you later…”
It was only today, though, that the Holy Spirit revealed to me a deeper understanding. Not of my questions, but of my questioning. “I’ll tell you later…” may not have been an acceptable statement for a court interpreter, but it was an appropriate answer to my questioning. In answering in this way, the Holy Spirit showed me a pride and a hubris in me of which I must repent. For me, questioning was not idle curiosity. I wasn’t asking in wonder as a child, but was instead cross-examining as though I was a reporter on 60 Minutes “So tell me, God, if that’s your real name…” I not only possessed the pride and nerve to question God, but I was prepared to judge Him on His answers. When Job did this, God responded “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding.”1 “I’ll tell you later” was the kindest, most loving response the Holy Spirit could have shared with me. Our knowledge now is incomplete, but will be made whole in time.2
We have all used Google Maps or something similar. Cleverly, we tell it where we want to go, it considers where we are now, and then guides us to our destination. The application has access to a tremendous library of data, but shares only that which is useful to us in the moment. The Bible, in conjunction with the Holy Spirit, works similarly. The miraculous part is that we don’t have to input our destination to have our spiritual journey mapped out for us.
We should be grateful that God shares what we need to know and doesn’t distract us with those things that do not help us on our journey. In time, if it is instructive and helpful, the Holy Spirit may reveal many things to us in this life. In the meantime, though, we should be grateful to understand that we have a roadmap to our destination and the means to help others accompany us. Our response to “I’ll tell you later…” should be “Thank You!”
1 Job 38:4 NKJV
2 1 Corinthians 13: 9-10 NKJV For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
In a dry and thirsty land 