11.6.25 ~ Miraculous Tests

Good morning!

This week's Torah portion, Vayera, contains a powerful theme about the mercy/chesed found throughout Abraham's life. Ironically, it's not something that he kept as a low profile...it was his life motto! We could say that it was the banner that was posted above his resident business. Throughout Abraham's life he demonstrated a growing resolve in bravery, fearlessness and a strong stance in His monotheistic belief that has become the benchmark for even our Messiah; hence Yeshua is known as the seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16). And since seeds reproduce after their kind...and since we are in Christ, we are Abraham's seed (Gal. 3:28,29)...we too should act like Abraham (Jn. 8:39).

We know of 10 specific trials/nisayon in the life of Abraham. Each one was designed to rectify a weakness in his life, but unlike the common mindset to a test/nisayon in Scripture these were not designed for failure, but success. Like a good teacher, a test is never designed to fail a student, but to prove what is inside of them.

Abraham's final test, the binding/akeidah of Isaac has become the cornerstone of the Torah and it is the gold standard for one's faith coming to maturity/tamim (James 2:20-22). Life is all about the tests! If you're not in one, get ready...there's one coming (1 Pet. 1:3-9)!

For Abraham's seed, the manna fell from heaven to test/nisayon to see if they would be obedient to God's commandments (Ex. 16). The purpose of the 40 years was to test/nisayon them to see if they would walk in His ways or not (Deut. 8). God's appearance to Israel on Mt. Sinai was to test/nisayon them in order that they might not sin against God (Ex. 20). Even the appearance of False Prophets were tests/nisayon to see if their heart was truly for God or the latest theology sailing across the stormy sea (Deut. 13).

The purpose behind every test/nisayon is to elevate you (Jam. 4:10); As you lift up His banner/nas, He will raise you up for everyone to see (Gen. 12:1-3). As we have learned, testing, is directly related to a miracle/nas. A miracle is a special event that was latent in potential, but at a specific moment in time its potential became reality. Abraham passed the test/nisayon and a miracle/nas happened. A ram was provided in the thickets and the Angel of the Lord declared that now it was evident that he feared God (Gen. 22). And God gives a banner/nas to those who fear Him (Psa. 60:4). It's a banner/nas that is meant to be unfurled and raised high for all to see...and we're not talking rainbow flags!

What is true of Abraham is true of us. What is true of our Fathers in the faith is true of their seed. What happened to one will happen to another. We are always being tested. Each one of us will handle the tests differently, because no test is identical to another. These tests are given to show us areas that we miraculously can overcome and need to overcome because they are prerequisites to being conformed to the image of His dear son (Rom. 8:29).

God never tests for failure. He always tests to lift you high like a banner where the world can see His wonders in your life. With every test He gives us the choice. Placed before each one of us is the choice of life or death (Deut. 30:19). Each life test is for our benefit to help us realize our full potential. Without them, we would be a fleshly potential waiting and longing to be activated.

Each test/nisayon brings the internal qualities to the surface. What was once latent becomes actual. Failure comes from allowing the yetzer hara/evil inclination to have victory; hindering a miraculous revelation through our lives.

Through his life he has taught all succeeding generations to give expression to their potential; to blossom into a full bloom. Just as Adam, the seed of all mankind, was made from the earth/adamah, the seed was designed to reproduce after its kind.

It was after Abraham feared the Lord (Gen. 22:12) that the promise of his seed would be as the stars and the sand of the sea shore...all of them blessed.

Be encouraged to be the 1!

Shalom!
Alan

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