Does Yahweh Ever Not Answer?

by Matthew Coover

    Many  times we hear the statement,    “I    prayed,    but   Yahweh didn’t answer.”  Believers attempt to discover the reason for   Yahweh’s supposed silence.  Was it because the heart of the one who ask was not right with Yahweh?  Was there a hidden sin that interfered with the communication system?  Was it an oversight on Yahweh’s part?  Mankind often seeks answers for this and other such problems which he faces, but the real problem arises when he fails to study the word of  Yahweh, thus understanding his Elohim’s true character.

    The psalmist said, “He that keepeth thee will not slumber.  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.”  (Psalm 121:3b,4) This indicates that  Yahweh  is never in a state of hibernation; he is always alert, always all knowing.  If a man should cry unto him, he certainly hears... But does this mean he also answers?

    In Exodus we find that  Yahweh  answers those who are unjustly treated.  “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.  You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.” (see chapter 22:22-24) In reference to this promise from  Yahweh , Job also said, “I am as one mocked of his neighbour who calleth upon  Yahweh , and he answereth him...”  (Job 12:4)

    Notice that  Yahweh  does not tack on the phrase, “If their heart is right with me or if they are a believer...”  He says “If they cry at all unto me, I will surely hear their cry.”    Yahweh   is not a respecter of persons (see Acts 10:34).  If someone who is wronged cries out unto  Yahweh , he shall be heard and just recompense shall be brought upon the oppressor.

    “Thus sayeth  Yahweh ,... Call unto me and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knewest not.” (Jer 33:3)   David says in Psalm 99:8,  “Thou answeredst  [Israel], O  Yahweh  our Elohim: thou wast an Elohim that forgavest them, though thou tookest vengeance of their inventions.”   Yahweh   answers his people in love when they call upon him in repentance.

    Likewise,  Yahweh  answers those who serve him not.  Egypt was a pagan nation which did not worship  Yahweh, and yet, in reply to Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph said, “Yahweh  shall give Pharoah an answer of peace.” (Genesis 41:16)   However, many times  Yahweh’s answer is according to their own works.  “And the word of  Yahweh came unto me saying, Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them?  Therefore speak unto them, and  say unto them,  Thus saith  Yahweh  Elohim,.. I will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols... I, Yahweh , will answer him by myself.”  (Ezekiel 14:3,4,7)

    If it were possible for mankind to ask of  Yahweh  at one time and receive an answer, yet ask at another time and receive no response, our Elohim would not be dependable, thus making him unworthy of our respect.  Scripture proves such a line of thought to be in error, for  Yahweh  himself says,   “I am  Yahweh , I change not” (Malachi 3:6)  If this is the case, why does it seem at times as though  Yahweh  does not answer?

    The problem in the communication line between mankind and his Creator lies not in a lack of response from Yahweh , but a lack of listening for an answer (and at times accepting the answer that is provided) on the part of mankind himself.  Many times believers do not hear Yahweh’s answer because they have allowed the spirit of unbelief to enter into their hearts.  Such was the spirit of Job when in great affliction, he cried out, “If I had called, and  [ Yahweh ] had answered me; yet would I not believe that he hearkened unto my voice.”  (Job 9:16)

    In spite of scriptural support for an Elohim who answers our prayers, there are several verses which may at first seem to indicate otherwise. Speaking through the prophet Micah,  Yahweh  said,  “Concerning the prophets that make my people err... The seers [shall] be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips;  for there  is  no answer  of  Yahweh.” (Micah 3:5,7)

    Is there a contradiction in  Yahweh’s scriptures?  Not really.  We merely have to understand the surroundings of this verse in order to read it in proper context.  We are dealing with a situation much like  Yahshua  dealt with when he was placed on trial before the multitude of the Jews.  “[Pilate] sayeth unto  Yahshua , Whence art thou?, but  Yahshua  gave him no answer.”  (John 19:9, Mark 15:4,5)  Why did  Yahshua  ignore the question?  Precisely because he had already answered it when he told Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world... Thou sayest that I am a king.  To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.”  (John 18:36,37)  Pilate was “attempting” to tempt the Messiah as he stood on trial.  Both he and the multitude before him already  realized  the  true identity of  Yahshua.  What they did not realize was  that     “Yahweh   [this    includes  Yahshua ] cannot be tempted of evil.” (James 1:13)   It was the same situation back in Micah’s day when the false prophets were prophesying lies in Yahweh’s name.  They were not inquiring of him out of a clear conscience; they were provoking him to wrath by their lies.

    Interestingly enough,  Yahweh  will eventually answer even the foolish questions which the false teachers and unbelieving multitudes have enquired of Him throughout the ages.  However, His answer will be in a form which they do not expect.  The prophet, EliYAH, said unto the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18:24, “Call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of   Yahweh , and the Elohim that answereth by fire, let Him be Elohim.”  This verse carries a very significant and symbolic meaning for the future.   A time is coming when the books will opened, and all the nations of the earth brought before the  judgement seat of  Yahshua  (John 5:22).  All men shall be judged according to their works (Matthew 16:27, Revelation 20:13), and the devil, along with all such men as follow him (John 8:44), shall receive their final answer in the form of the unquenchable fire of  Yahweh’s wrath (Matthew 25:41).

    Truly, may we say with the Psalmist, “In the day when I cried, [Yahweh] answered me” (Psalm 138:3)   Only let us guard our hearts with all diligence, that our enquiries of  Yahweh  precede from a pure conscience.  In this way we may receive a ready answer from the Father of lights, and we shall have no fear that our enquiries be used as testimony against us in the day of judgement.  HalleluYAH!