There is in fact an answer to the great question of the universe - and it's not 42. The Bible has many questions and many answers. However for the great question of the meaning of everything and the purpose of life, the Bible first exposes the deniers of God's existence and juxtaposes the answer.
In Douglas Adams's novel the supercomputer's answer to the 'Great Question of Life, the Universe and Everything' is 42, because the computer didn't understand the Bible. In fact the answer is totally meangless as Adams himself says he chose the number at random from his desk looking in the garden (scientificamerican.com). Curiously the Bible says all of us will ask precisely this great question.
I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. (Ecc 3:10-11)
We will seek the answer to the great question of life, because unlike the animals, all humans who think, have the world set in their heart by God. He put it there because he desires they seek Him of their own free will, because He made the world beautiful and is worthy of being loved for that.
So when they ask the question that God put in all human hearts – what do fools answer?
There is no God.
The Answer to Everything is 14 - Psalm 14.
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (Psalm 14:1)
Worse that not doing any good the God deniers tend to focus their negative energy on others who love God.
Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge? who eat up my (God's) people as they eat bread, and call not upon the LORD. (Psalm 14:4)
Why do they do this? Because they know in their hearts and fear that there is a God who works with His people. Also these foolish God deniers are shamed when they see how God helps his people who take refuge in him.
There were they (the fools who say there is no God) in great fear: for God is in the generation of the righteous. Ye have shamed the counsel of the poor (meek), because the LORD is his refuge. (Psalm 14:5-6)
So what is the Answer?
Wait for it! It's not going to be what you think….
Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion! when the LORD bringeth back the captivity of his people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad. (Psalm 14:7)
This was written by King David just before the great golden age of Solomon's Israel, while Solomon himself still went to the tabernacle at Gibeon to worship (2 Chron. 1) – not Zion. Some may seek to post-date this to the return of Ezra & Nehemiah- but yet they are faced with the issue that it is the salvation of Israel out of Zion. It is when all Israel are bought back from captivity, not by their own hand, but by their God. We have the sign of this in modern Israel which emerges over two centuries, but as yet it is not fully fulfilled. As yet Jerusalem is not Zion. Jerusalem will become Zion and all people may rejoice and be glad.
This is the answer to everything: the answer to the Great Question of Life, the Universe and Everything: The salvation of Israel comes out of Zion, which is the God of Israel bringing back the captivity of his people where Jacob shall rejoice and Israel shall be glad.
You may say to me - no this can't be! I say to you, to all intents and practical purposes for people bound by living on this planet, in this creation, all questions and meaning is dust unless it is part of the everything of the Great plan for Life in the Universe, which is God's salvation that will come out of Zion. Even now within three generations your great grandkids forget even your name, within ten generations your whole civilisation is so forgotten that others have to dig it up! But King David's answer is still with us.
So now you know why Jews and Israel are so much in the news.
When the leaders of Jerusalem decided that they hated the God of Israel and sought to deny his ways and lie about God, they said, 'well we know God has power over life but we make a covenant with death!' Hear God's answer - it is the Answer.
Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place. And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. (Isaiah 28:14-18)
This is the same answer as the one given to the fools who say there is no God. Again you may say “What?!!” Surly God putting some stone is Zion can't be the answer to the Great Question of Life, the Universe and Everything!! But for all intents and practical purposes the only enduring meaning in this ever changing world that turns all to dust is the detail of God's plan for our eternal salvation in the stone He placed in Zion. Those who lie, cheat and deny God are shamed, but those who believe in God's salvation out of Zion in the Messiah- Christ- Anointed greater descendent of King David are never ashamed as they have found truth and the Answer to Everything.
Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded (ashamed). Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1Peter 2:6-10)
Those people are shamed in many ways who deny the salvation of Christ (Greek) Messiah (Hebrew), both meaning an Anointed Priest or King. They are mostly shamed by their own foolish life choices, now as lies are often found out - but they may yet be reserved for even greater shaming in the open judgement of God.
Those people who believe in the Salvation in the Foundation Stone placed in Zion, the answer to everything love truth and so are never shamed in this life as they often have the answers, as all true answers are from knowing and facing all inconvenient truth. Also in the time of God's judgement they are given mercy.
The Answer to 'Great Question of Life, the Universe and Everything' is also 62 - Psalm 62
Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved. (Psalm 62:1-2)
Who wants to be shamed like those caught in a lie? If we trust in the Rock placed in Zion, we will not be moved or shamed. But those who do not trust in God, those who lie to denigrate and plot against God's people who do trust in God, will be judged. Psalm 62 repeats the refrain of those who deny God by mischief and lies trying to bring down and oppress others who trust in God.
How long will you imagine mischief against a man? ye shall be slain all of you: as a bowing wall shall ye be, and as a tottering fence. They only consult to cast him down from his excellency: they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly. Selah.
My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defence; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.
Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery: if riches increase, set not your heart upon them.
God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work. (Psalm 62:3-12)
Men of high degree are a lie, as all true political power is from God only. Leaders of high degree, as our Lord observed oppress people, supposedly for their benefit! (Luke 22:25)
Knowing that God exists in their heart the liars and deceivers seek to deny God's existence. But woe to those leaders who are a lie to be laid in the balance who do not know the Answer to Everything!The Answer is not 42, but the Foundation Stone of Salvation set by God in Zion, the son of God, the king of the Kingdom of God, which is an inconvenient truth that has upset and will upset all foolish plans of those who seek power to rule the world by oppression! God answers them back with the Answer to Everything!
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
He that sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” (Psalm 2:2-8)
