It’s a great question. One I know I heard more than a few times growing up. One thing I have noticed since I have become a parent is that the older a child gets the shorter the answer to the question “What are you doing?” It takes a 5 year old 15 minutes to answer that question, but by the time they reach their teens they have learned to sum it all up into one word, “NOTHING”. End of conversation or at least that’s what I used to hope it would mean. It seldom did.
What are you doing? Sometimes it is asked because we don’t know the answer to that question. We are generally interested in what our children are doing so we ask. What are you doing? Sometimes it is asked in exasperation, more of a rhetorical question, no answer is needed or welcomed. I can see what your doing and I am shocked. That seems to be the tone of Proverbs 31:2-9
What are you doing? It is a question often designed to make us stop then think. What are you doing? Stop! Stop before it's to late, stop before you make the biggest mistake of your life, stop, think about what you are doing. Stop, think about where these actions are taking you. What are you doing?
This mom is telling her son the king, do not give your strength to women. It is amazing how self-deceived we can become. How many affairs could have been prevented in the early stages if a friend or parent had jolted that man or woman to their senses with this one question - what are you doing? It is a mom warning her son the king about the subtle dangers of alcohol. Vs 4-5 What are you doing? It is a mom exhorting her son to be a just king, a compassionate king one who defends the rights of the poor.
What are you doing? This is a great question. We need to use it with our children young and old. We need to allow others the freedom to use it with us. Its a question that brings us face to face with our actions. Not, how are you feeling? Not, what are you thinking? But, What are you doing? This is not a why question. Why are you doing that? It is a what question. It means I’m not asking for feelings, I’m asking for facts. I want you to describe for me your actions. How you treated that person, how you spoke to that person etc. What choices have you made today?
Proverbs has said...
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction - “What are you doing?”
the fear of the Lord is to depart from evil - “What are you doing?”
It’s speaks repeatedly about the dangers of moral impurity and unfaithfulness and the traps that lead us into them - “What are you doing?”
It has told us that foolishness Is bound up in the heart of our children, but the rod of correction will drive it far from them. “What are you doing?”
Our children need to be brought to the place where they understand they are sinners and need a Savior - “What are you doing?”
We learned about the dangers of pride - “What are you doing?”
Proverbs has taught us about the need for self-discipline - “What are you doing?”
We’ve read over and over about how our words can heal or hurt those around us - “What are you doing?”
Wisdom is the main thing therefore above all get wisdom - “What are you doing?”
On and on we could go. But I hope you get the point.
Wisdom or a lack of it is going to manifest itself in our actions. When God came to the garden of Eden after Adam and Eve had sinned he asked them a series of questions. Where are you? Who have you been listening to? The last question was this - “What is it that you have done?” Genesis 3:9-13 Oh that someone had been there when they were conversing with the deceiver, the serpent, “What are you doing?” Don’t listen to him he’s a liar.
No matter what we have done if we will repent we will find forgiveness at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ who died for our sins. Are you trusting in his finished work and transforming grace and His all sufficient Word to guide you and guard you and show you the way you need to go? Jesus said if we know these thing happy are we if we, not feel them or think about them but, if we DO THEM.
NO matter if you are a king or a kid you will do well to take heed and consider this question. “What are you doing?” If you're heading down the wrong road, stop, drop to your knees and repent, turn around and serve the living and true God.
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