Jeremiah 17:10 says,
I, YHVH, search the mind, I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.”
So we clearly see that God does search our hearts for sincerity and tests our will for resolve to be quick to serve Him without ulterior motive… Like Abraham who it is said was always quick to obey and never thought negative or grumbled in his heart… A great example for us!
Pirke Avot 5:3 says,
“With ten test our father Abraham was tested and he withstood them all – in order to make know how great was our father Abraham’s love for God.”
This week’s Torah portion of Lech Lecha includes several of the ten tests of Abraham as the first “Called-Out Believer”… and I want you to think of how you would respond to each test and meditate on how you are being tested in many similar ways in your life…
- The rejection of the idol worship of his father(s) (Genesis Rabbah 38.13). (Are you following any false worship systems of your forefathers?)
- The persecution by Nimrod. (Jasher 11-12)… (Are you tested by work or government to stand for God even in the face of persecution?)
- Leaving his Homeland. (Gen. 12:1) … (Are you willing to leave your homeland if God calls you to Israel?)
- Being Tested with Famine. (Gen. 12:10)… (Are you able to fast for extended periods and/or abstain from unhealthful practices).
- Dealing with Sarai’s Abductions. (Gen. 12:14-15)… (Could you trust God if your wife or children were taken away?)
- Forced into Warfare. (Gen. 14:12-16)… (Are you strong enough in your faith that you can be victorious in spiritual warfare?)
- The Dreadful Vision. (Gen. 15:1-21)… (Are you able to foresee a scary future and yet remain positive, trusting God will in all things?)
- Painful Circumcision at age 99 (Gen. 17:10). (Are you willing to do anything to be in covenant with God?)
- Ongoing Family Problems. The infertility of Sarai, Lot’s ingratitude, issues with Hagar and Sarah and the eventual eviction of Hagar and Ishmael from the family caused Abraham untold grief and sorrow (Gen. 21:10) (Are you able to face difficulties with unwavering faith?)
- The Ultimate Sacrifice. The Akedah – the test to sacrifice his son Isaac on Mount Moriah as a burnt offering (Gen. 22:1-19) was undoubtedly Abrahams greatest test of all! (Are you willing to give all to follow God’s will for your life?)
I hope this little meditation has blessed you and helped you be strengthened in your resolve to be faithful to God in all things just as He is always faithful… This is true “Emunah” and true “emunah/faithfulness” always leads to righteousness!
James 1:2-4 says,
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
And Rabbi Shaul speaking of this to the Roman converts said,
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Master Yeshua HaMashiach, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Romans 5:1-4
We hope this understanding has blessed you and that you will recognize yourself as a part of God’s called out people!
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Study by Rabbi Isaac. © Assembly of Called-Out Believers.
Website: CalledOutBelievers.org. Use by Permission
2 Comments
Good evening,
I enjoyed this teaching, but I do have a question before I study further. Are you Shema or do you believe like most messianic fellowships in the trinity?
Grace and Mercy
David W.
As Jews believing in the Shema as the Foundation of our Faith we are not trinitarian.