For example, at the youth group lock in one of the youth told the following riddle.

A person, who had no brothers or sisters, waved to a person who was his father’s father’s son, who did he wave to? I needed the youth to tell the riddle a couple of more times, before I finally gave up and asked him the answer.

It was his father.

While riddles seem confusing, the answer is often very simple. Such is not the case with this morning’s scripture. To understand this riddle requires great knowledge of the Bible.

The riddle is about 2 eagles, a seed which was planted in rich soil and by abundant waters yet it became wild and the east wind. The first eagle is representative of the Babylon King Nebuchadrezzar. The second eagle is Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt. Zedekiah is the seed which becomes a vine. The east wind is a symbol of destruction.

The story is about Babylon sweeping down upon Jerusalem, like an eagle sweeps down on its prey and carries it off. King Nebuchadrezzar has exiled most of the inhabitants Jerusalem to Babylon. He placed Zedekiah, the seed, in Jerusalem to rule over, on his behalf, the remnant of Israelites which were left behind in Jerusalem.

Through the prophet, God told Zedekiah, that this would happen and that he should remain loyal to King Nebuchadrezzar. Zedekiah, however, was disloyal to God, as well as to King Nebuchadrezzar. He made an allegiance with Pharaoh Hophra of Egypt, represented by the second eagle. This decision brought the east wind which was Zedekiak’s death.

"The Word of the Lord came to Ezekial: "Son of man, propound a riddle.."

Perhaps you are wondering, why did God put such riddles in the Bible?

What does God want you and me to learn from such a riddle?

Isn’t life at times just as confusing as this riddle. Haven’t you, at least once in your life, felt like your life was a confusing riddle with no obvious answers.

Recently I was reading an article in a magazine, about Rick and Sandy, who were married for 25 years. He was professional. She worked part time as well as worked as a domestic engineer (fancy way of saying she took care of the housework and children). They had 2 children and at the age of 42 they were very excited about, their great surprise of expecting their 3rd. Everything was even keel, when the bottom fell out. The husband, fell ill with a severe viral infection.

Now what do you do?

Unlike Zedekiah, or for that matter the Israelites, whose riddle we can explain, because they were experiencing tough times as a result of their disobedience to God. They worshipped idols. They trusted allegiance with foreign countries over allegiances with God. They compromised God’s Word when ever it suited them. That wasn’t the case with Rick and Sandy. They were seeking to follow God’s will. Church was an integral part of their life. They tried to live by Christian values. Yet, their last 4 years have been a mix of improvements and relapses, hopes and disappointments, despair and determination.

How do you interpret life’s riddle?

There would be some who would be quick to say, lack of faith, God’s judgment, didn’t pray enough or hard enough. This implies that negative things happen in life, only as a result of something bad which we have done or not enough faith.

Granted sometimes they are the direct consequences of our sins, BUT that is not always true. The Bible tells us of Job, Isaiah, even Jesus, who were confronted with life’s riddles, which were not the result of anything they did.

The truth is all people, even faithful people, experience grief, illness, divorce, abuse, disillusionment, temptation and the consequence of sin. This is one of the riddles of life. The questions is what are you going to do about it?

"The Word of the Lord came to Ezekial: "Son of man propound a riddle."

To start with, ‘Be Honest With God.’ The Psalms over and over again show David’s honest anguish,

"My soul is in anguish. How long, O Lord, how long?"(Psalm 6:3,6)

When you can’t do it anymore, cry out to God. ‘Immerse yourself in Scripture.’ Studying the Word of God will help you develop a new understanding of suffering. You will identify with Paul and Job. You will be reminded of truths such as:

"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength"(Phil 4:13)

"He will not let your foot slip-He who keeps you will not slumber"(Psalm 121:3)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." (Prov 3:5,6)

"Make prayer a priority."

Jesus told his disciples to persevere in prayer, to pray without giving up, remember the widow in Luke 18:1-8. Pray the desperate demanding prayers, BUT also pray for acceptance and strength and the desire to seek God’s will.

"Be thankful."

This doesn’t come easy when we are struggling with one of life’s riddles. It is difficult to see past the problems.

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."(1 Thess. 5:18)

‘Trust.’ God is a faithful God. "Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."(Isaiah 40:31)

When life becomes a confusing riddle you and I have a choice: We can either rail against circumstances, questioning God’s wisdom, OR We can pour ourselves into: being honest with God; immersing ourselves in scripture; praying persistently; being thankful; and trusting God to work in us.

As Rick and Sandy learned, the question cannot be, "How long will we be in this place?" but, "What will we do while we are here?"

Amen

Past Sermons