Riddles of Life and God's Two Poems by Dave Evans

Riddles are puzzling statements or questions, often framed as problems to be solved. In the Bible, Samson challenged the young men in his wedding party to solve a riddle he presented to them. (Judges 14:14) When the Queen of Sheba came to learn from the renowned wisdom of Solomon, she tested him with hard questions, or riddles (the same root word translated as ‘riddle’ in Judges 14:14).

Life is full of riddles. For some of them, we find clear-cut and resolute answers in God’s Word. The Philippian jailer cried out to Paul and Silas, “… ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’” (Acts 16:30 NKJV). The crystal-clear answer was, “… ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…’” (Acts 16:31 NKJV). In Capernaum, people asked Jesus, “… ‘What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?’ Jesus answered and said to them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.’” (John 6:28, 29 NKJV) Two puzzling questions were resolved with definite answers.

Answers to other riddles often are either unanswered or not clearly understood. For example, how can we adequately explain the Trinity? How can one God exist in three separate persons? What happens to the bodies of those who die in Christ before the rapture? Do they get temporary bodies, or do they exist in spirit form until they get a glorified body? Another much discussed, but unanswered riddle is the meaning of the number of the beast, 666, in Revelation 13:18. How would you answer the following riddle? What is temporary, yet never-ending; clouded by unresolved questions, yet brightened by the assurance of future conclusive answers? Here is a hint —

“For now [in this time of imperfection] we see in a mirror dimly [a blurred reflection, a riddle, an enigma], but then [when the time of perfection comes, we will see reality] face to face. Now I know in part [just in fragments], but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known [by God].” 1 Corinthians 13:12 (AMP). The Christian’s earthly life is temporary and will come to an end, but we have been freely given eternal life as a gift from God. (Romans 6:23) And in this life, we know in part, but then we will see God face-to face and will discover decisive answers to unresolved questions.

The imagery in 1 Corinthians 13:12 is interesting. “Now”, Paul wrote, “we see in a mirror.” The mirrors of the first century were made of metal, which reflected somewhat indistinct, or distorted, images. And so, Paul wrote, “we see in a mirror dimly,” which is the Greek word ainigma, meaning enigma or riddle. We look into a mirror that reflects a poor-quality image, and what we see is an obscure riddle. Consequently, our understanding of many of the riddles of life is obfuscated.

The use of two different Greek words in verse twelve, translated as ‘know’, expresses a progression in knowledge. A former professor explained this increase—“Now we know (Gr. ginosko) only partially. When the Lord has resurrected or ‘raptured’ us and we stand in His presence, we will know fully (Gr. epignosko), as fully as God now knows us. I do not mean that we will be omniscient; we will not be. We will be fully aware.”

One exhilarating day, we will be able to review the riddles of life with clearer vision and greater comprehension.

God’s Two Poems By Dave Evans

In the New Testament, the Greek word ‘poiema’, from which the English word ‘poem’ is derived, occurs twice. The first is in Romans 1:20 and is translated in the phrase “by the things that are made”. The second is in Ephesians 2:10 and is translated by the English word ‘workmanship’. God’s poems are those things He has made, and which give testimony to Him.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” (Romans 1:20 NKJV)

In all of creation, there is meter and rhyme; a poem composed by God and written in the things He has made—things clearly seen and understood by mankind, so they know there is a Creator : rhythmic plashing of a cool mountain stream, refreshing whisper of breeze filtering through Live Oak leaves, the crashing cacophony of surf meeting shore, at night, brilliant diamonds densely studding desert sky, and the hues of red, yellow, orange, and pink infusing morning sky, waves of golden prairie grass swaying to the tune of spring breeze, the sound of an industrious Acorn Woodpecker soon after early morning’s light, the plaintive wail of a coyote in the darkness at night--and to this poem is affixed the Creator’s signature

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)

Lives once dead now made alive- His transforming power creating poems of testimony to His saving grace—an inebriated alcoholic now filled with the Spirit of God and serving others, thieves who stole for their own gain, now working and giving to those in need, immoral men and women now living pure and clean, those whose lips spoke lies, now defending the truth, various and sundry lives now made whole… over and over the refrain is repeated as myriads of those redeemed by God become living poems expressing His superlative workmanship.

Dave Evans

Dave Evans recently retired from his career as an estimator for an electrical contractor, but still works part-time. He recently served as Body Care Pastor for a small church and previously taught at a local Bible College for several years. God led him to found and serve in several outreach ministries—a pet therapy ministry, visiting several skilled nursing facilities and retirement homes: a prayer booth on a local street corner to allow people in the community to stop by for prayer needs and an evangelism table, typically set up once a month at various malls or stores, which made Bibles, tracts, DVDs, and other Christian materials available free of charge to interested shoppers. Dave has a bachelor’s degree in business administration/management. As a writer, he has had many poems and articles published in various periodicals and books. And he’s been privileged to do volunteer work for a local police department.