Testing...(also known as "Advice to the Lovelorn")
Testing can be a very interesting, even controversial topic. A question that frequently comes up is: "Yahweh knows the end from the beginning, and all things. What need therefore, does he have to test?" Let me speculate an answer. Although the Word tells us that Yahweh knows the end from the beginning, Does it tell us that he knows ALL THINGS? Why would he want to know all things? Especially why would he want to know them all at once? We trust that he has all power and wisdom, yet he seldom uses it fully, to instantly enforce his will. Is it not possible that he would will to permit free moral agency, or even random development for a time, for reasons that only he would know best? We all enjoy a pleasant surprise. Is it not possible that Yahweh would enjoy one periodically too? I would like to propose that the topic of testing, in general, is not well understood. And the topic of Yahweh's testing of Abraham is beyond that; close to mysterious. If our testing one of another is poorly understood, how much more that of Yahweh his friend? As proof, I invite the reader (especially the male reader), to peruse an article salvaged from the e-mail "spam". Feel free to refer to a brief commercial study of the psychology of "testing" of men, by... Women! Quit laughing, and enjoy the read. Intended for entertainment and academic purposes only. The reader will understand that the author of the linked and related material is "morally challenged", so of course, we must evaluate his material through the light of the Everlasting Covenant of Truth, the Bible... (warning - links may lead to explicit material - under age 18 do not follow this link) And for the ladies: try google search of "Christian Carter" (same source, same warning applies). You'll be amused!