“Who Knows?”

Thursday, January 16, 2025

The simple, rhetorical question “Who knows?” when coupled with action, transforms into a powerful word of faith. At its core, “Who knows?” encapsulates the concept of divine providence, acknowledging that the future isn't entirely predetermined and leaving room for God's mercy and intervention. Though the specific details of God's plan remain unseen, “Who knows?” expresses a firm belief in God's sovereignty, and the faithful trust in His unseen hand guiding the affairs of life.

Jonah and the Ninevites:

Upon hearing Jonah’s message of judgment, the Ninevite king declared, “Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water, but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from their evil way and from the violence that is in their hands. Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish” (Jonah 3:7b-9).

The king's use of the question “Who knows?” captures the Ninevites’ acknowledgment of their precarious situation and their unwavering hope in God's grace. They recognized the uncertainty of their fate, but instead of succumbing to despair, they chose to turn to God. This phrase isn’t a mere expression of doubt, but a declaration of faith (note a similar use in Joel 2:12-14). “Who knows?” reflected the Ninevites’ willingness to surrender to God’s will and trust in His capacity for compassion. In the end, God relented from the coming judgment.

Mordecai to Esther:

With the annihilation of the Jews at hand, Mordecai implored the Jewish Queen Esther, “For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). His question isn't merely a theological musing; it is a direct challenge to Esther.

By asking “Who knows?”, Mordecai awakened Esther to her unique position and responsibility. He implicitly exhorted her to rise to the occasion, to recognize the potential divine significance of her role at this critical juncture, and to embrace the risk and uncertainty inherent in defying the king’s decree. In the end, Esther rose to the occasion and saved her people.

David and His Infant Son:

In 2 Samuel 12:22, King David utters his poignant plea, “Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?” This statement comes amidst a deeply distressing situation: David’s infant son, born from his adulterous affair with Bathsheba, is gravely ill. Nathan, the prophet, has delivered God’s judgment, foretelling the child’s death because of David’s sin.

Yet, despite the dire circumstances, David clung to God’s mercy. His use of “Who knows?” coupled with his seven days of fasting and praying reflected his understanding of God’s character. He knew God was just in His pronounced judgment, but he also knew God was compassionate and merciful. Nevertheless, the child died, but David wasn’t broken in spirit. “Who knows?” allowed David to praise God whether He allowed the child to live or not.

“Who knows?” isn’t a statement of desperation, but a declaration of hope rooted in faith. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there’s room for God’s mercy and the possibility of a surprising turn of events. God’s goodness transcends our limited understanding. Whether He intervenes in a way we anticipate or allows circumstances to unfold differently, we can trust that His purposes are for our ultimate good. Even when His answers to our prayers differ from our expectations, His ultimate plan is rooted in love, wisdom, faithfulness, and loving-kindness. “Who knows?” invites us to hold onto hope and to continue trusting in His infinite wisdom and unwavering love – no matter what.

Share