SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD TESTS HIS PEOPLE

SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD TESTS HIS PEOPLE (OT)

The term “test” (BDB 650, KB 702, Piel
perfect; Gen. 22:1) is used in the sense of
“to try.” It is used in the sense of bringing someone to the place whereby they
recognize and act on their own stated priorities. It is obvious from Genesis 12
through 22 that God is presenting Abraham with a series of situations (the
rabbis say ten) in order to focus his love and trust in God and God alone
(possibly also Job). These tests were not so much for God’s sake, but for Abraham’s sake and his
understanding of the God who called him out of Ur of the Chaldees. Abraham is
asked to give up family, home, friends, inheritance, tradition and even the
future (his promised son in Genesis 22) to follow God by faith. God tests all of His children
in the area of their priority (cf. Matt. 4:lff; Heb. 5:8; 12:5-13).

God tests (BDB 650) in order to know (BDB 393; see
Special Topic: Know). Israel
often tested God by their disobedience and God proved to be true to His word. Now God will give
Israel and her people a chance to demonstrate their spoken allegiance and faith.

1. God tested His people corporately

a. Exod. 15:25; 16:4; 20:20

b. Deut. 8:2,16; 13:3

c. Jdgs. 2:22; 3:1,4

2. God tested individual Israelites

a. Abraham, Gen. 22:1-12

b. Hezekiah, 2 Chr. 32:31

3. The Psalm writers cry out for God to test them so as to remove
any hidden flaws (cf. Ps. 26:2; 139:23)

4. The NT people of God are also tested, as was Jesus (Matthew 4; Luke 4;
Heb. 5:8). See Special
Topic: Greek Terms for Testing and Their Connotations.