Home » Articles » “Ask,” “Seek,” “Knock.”

“Ask,” “Seek,” “Knock.”

by Dr. Eitan Bar
4 minutes read

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:7-11

The view of God as a parent providing for their child is a known metaphor in Judaism. It reflects the concept of God as a loving, caring Father (Av Harachamim), a theme prevalent in Jewish prayers and scriptures. Comparing human parental goodness to God’s greater goodness resonates with the Jewish understanding of God’s attributes of mercy and compassion (Middot Harachamim). The concept of God as a Father is pivotal in understanding Rabbi Yeshua’s message, and I have dedicated another book to exploring this topic. In short, however, it “humanizes” the Divine and suggests a shared nature between God and His creation. This radical notion implies that despite our apparent limitations, we, who are made in His image, possess an intrinsic divinity capable of boundless growth and spiritual evolution. We are not mere subjects of a cosmic ruler; we are children of a benevolent Father destined to partake in and inherit the Divine essence.

This metaphor is pivotal in understanding how God views us. Slaves don’t ask for gifts; children to a loving parent do. Rabbi Yeshua emphasizes the nature of the relationship between God and His followers, likening it to the familial bond between a parent and child.

In these verses, Jesus outlines a dynamic of trust and care that defines the relationship between humans and God. When Yeshua suggests that one should “ask,” “seek,” and “knock,” He is encouraging a form of interaction that is personal, much like a child who feels safe and secure enough to express their needs and desires openly to their parents. The assurance that “it will be given to you” and “the door will be opened” reinforces this notion of a responsive and caring God.

Viewing our relationship with God as a familial bond is not merely a theological abstraction but a practical, everyday truth that Rabbi Yeshua encourages us to embrace. His teachings about asking, seeking, and knocking as means to receive blessings underscore our active role in the spiritual journey. It’s an invitation to recognize our divine potential and claim our spiritual inheritance, challenging the notion of passive resignation often espoused in more traditional religious contexts.

Yeshua’s portrayal of God as a responsive parent is deeply reassuring. It addresses the inherent human need for security and understanding in an unpredictable world. This analogy comforts us with the knowledge that just as a loving parent fulfills their child’s needs, although the child is far from perfect, so will God respond to our prayers when offered with genuine faith and according to God’s will. This understanding reshapes our approach to prayer and life’s trials, shifting from fear and doubt to a posture of trust and expectation.

The analogy escalates with a rhetorical question about parental response to a child’s basic needs: “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?” This comparison drives home the absurdity of a loving parent ignoring or mistreating their child’s request. It underscores the expectation of benevolence that is natural to a parental role, an expectation that Yeshua suggests is even more dependable in the divine context.

By juxtaposing the human understanding of good, albeit imperfect, parental responses with God’s perfect nature, Yeshua illustrates that God is not only capable but inherently inclined to give “good gifts” to those who ask. This is in stark contrast to the concept of slaves who do not typically have the privilege to ask for gifts or expect benevolent responses to their needs. Slaves’ requests can stem from necessity and survival rather than a secure relationship based on love and mutual trust.

Therefore, the essence of this passage is not about subservience and obligation that one might find in a slave-master dynamic but rather about the love, care, and reciprocal trust that defines the healthiest of familial relationships. It’s about children who feel empowered and confident to express their needs, knowing they will be met with compassion and generosity. This is the foundation upon which Yeshua builds the understanding of a believer’s relationship with God—a relationship where one can approach God not with the fear or reticence of a slave but with the confidence and expectation of a beloved child.

Moreover, Yeshua’s emphasis on the Fatherhood of God represents a significant departure from the prevailing religious views of his time. The gods around Israel were often portrayed as demanding, vengeful figures. Yeshua’s teachings, however, reveal a God of compassion and understanding, emphasizing the loving and nurturing aspects of the Divine. This paradigm shift is crucial for understanding the essence of true Christian faith, highlighting God’s unwavering love and care for humanity.

If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Matthew 7:11

Here, rabbi Yeshua shares a profound truth about the nature of God’s generosity, paralleling it with human parental love. Even though human parents are imperfect, they inherently desire to give good gifts to their children. This inclination does not depend on the child’s perfection or flawless behavior; rather, it is rooted in unconditional love and the joy found in seeing their child happy and fulfilled.

Expanding this analogy to our relationship with God, the verse emphasizes that if even fallible humans can give generously and lovingly to their offspring, how much more so can God, who is perfect in nature and infinite in resources, give to those who reach out to Him. The message here is clear: God does not require us to be without fault or sin to receive His blessings. Just as a parent does not withhold gifts from a child because they are imperfect, God does not withhold His gifts from us due to our imperfections.

This teaches us that God’s giving is motivated by His love and grace rather than our merit or works. It is a call to approach God with confidence and trust, knowing that His desire to bless us is driven by His perfect parental love, which seeks our good unconditionally.

This new understanding of God as a loving father also redefines the nature of sin and salvation. In this context, sin is not merely a transgression against a set of divine rules but a deviation from our true, divine nature. Salvation, therefore, is a return to this nature, a reclamation of our rightful place as children of God. This perspective fosters a more personal and relational approach to spirituality, focusing on inner transformation and growth rather than mere adherence to religious norms.

Furthermore, Rabbi Yeshua’s message of the Fatherhood of God democratizes the spiritual experience, making it accessible to all, regardless of social or religious standing. It breaks down barriers between the sacred and the mundane, revealing the presence of God in every aspect of life. This understanding encourages us to seek God not only in religious rituals and institutions but also in the everyday experiences and relationships that shape our lives.

In conclusion, Rabbi Yeshua’s teachings offer a radical approach to spirituality. They invite us to reimagine our relationship with God, encouraging us to embrace our role as active participants in the spiritual journey. Recognizing God as our Father reshapes our view of ourselves and others as siblings in a spiritual kinship, urging us to acknowledge the unity among all beings.

To delve deeper into understanding God as our Father – a perspective that can transform your spiritual life – I encourage you to explore my book, “God as Father: Unveiling God’s Love for Sinners, Outcasts, Legalists and Jerks Through the Prodigal Son


You may also like:

Dr. Eitan Bar
Author, Theologian, Activist