“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4: – Deuteronomy 13:1-4
“Wait a minute God. Just wait a minute. I thought the prophet or dreamer was testing Israel. Then you come along and say that You are testing them? I am confused. Why would You allow this prophet or dreamer to cross paths with Israel, knowing that they have the potential to draw them away from you? I mean what if they go? Don’t you want them to be faithful to you? Don’t you love them? Then why test them? Not only that God, but this test is tough. I mean you are saying that the sign or wonder they have spoken comes to pass. Now, how fair is that? Those dreamers and prophets are really going to look genuine! The real deal! Why not give them an easier test? Oh … wait a minute. Now I see it. You wanted to know what was in their hearts. You wanted to know if they loved you with all their heart and soul. Still, there has to be an easier and less dangerous way to find that out. Isn’t there?
What? There isn’t?
You mean that such tests had to come to reveal if they loved you with their whole hearts? But what if they don’t? Oh … I have to keep reading the Bible? Hmm. Let me see. Looks like all of us fail these tests often. Yep, looks like we mess up, here … and here … and oh … here. Wow! We fail these tests a lot! Now, let’s see what you do when we fail. Well, when we don’t heed your warnings (which you gave us over and over again), you allow us to suffer, then you show us our sin, then you call us to repentance, then (if we repent) you help us to grow closer to you. So, this testing can often bring us closer to you? You mean that after we fail, we can end up loving you more than we did before test? That is pretty amazing! It almost sounds like you are allowing these tests to come, so our faith can get to where it needs to be. Oh … that is why. Ugh… I feel stupid now. So, all this is so that we would come to know you more and love you deeper. That is pretty cool God. I wish we didn’t have to go through all the tests though. It doesn’t feel too good. What’s that? When you are done with us, we will feel better? Stronger? More confident in You? More loved and cared for by You? Well … I don’t know how You get that to all work out, but I believe You know what You are doing. Okay, God. Thanks for talking with me. I really didn’t understand the whole testing thing, but you have really cleared things up. Still, if it is okay with You, I just won’t listen to any dreamers and prophets that come my way. That seems easier.”
For Jesus,
Rob