If God is not supposed to be tested, then why was Gideon allowed to test God?

Question

An often claim made by Christians is that God is not to be tested. Jesus even says this in Matthew 4:7. Yet Gideon tested God in Judges 6:11-23 AND Judges 6:34-40, and yet God never punished Gideon for this. Nowhere is Gideon reprimanded for testing God, despite the fact that apparently it's a BAD thing to do so.

So if God is not supposed to be tested, then why was Gideon allowed to test God?

Answer 1

Jesus tested God in the Garden of Gethesame when he prayed that the "cup would pass away from him" but ultimately he agreed that "thine will is mine will" and allowed himself to be crucified.

If you read the passages carefully and draw the analogy to Jesus Christ in the New Testament, you will see many striking similarities - as if Gideon foreshadowed the crucifixation and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Answer 2

Interesting question.

We are instructed not to test God in both the Old and New testaments.

Deuteronomy 6:16: "You shall not put the LORD, your God, to the test, as you did at Massah.

Matthew 4:7: Jesus answered him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord, your God, to the test.'"

There are many instructions in the Holy Scriptures.

Not all of them are commandments.

Be fruitful and multiply sounds like a commandment but it is really a blessing. Couples not blessed with children are not breaking a commandment.

Not putting God to the test is a wise recommendation and not necessarily a commandment. Only foolish people would put God to the test.

Gideon does come off looking a little foolish about testing God but he more than makes up for it by following the will of God even at the risk of his own life.

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

The problem comes with a narrow use of a word. Most words have several definitions and you have to use the right one from the context. Gideon is right in that we must always "test the inspired expressions to see if they are from God." And we need to ask if we don't understand something, which is most of the time. Not to "tempt God" here implies just to see how far you can push him, instead of asking why you should do such and such a thing or how to do it and why. "Try all things, hold fast to what is fine." The Bible is actually pro-scientific method, as far as I can see. "Know the truth and the truth will set you free" and not make you narrow minded. Like a child when they learns how to take care of themselves has relative freedom. Learning to "use the word aright", is the key. We haven't learned yet, it would seem.

Answer 4

If you consider Christ to be god, then no.

1 Corintians 10:9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

Oh, but wait, what about Jacob wrestling God - that has to be some form of test. http://www.thebricktestament.com//genesis/jacob_wrestles_god/gn32_23.html

In Exodus, Ch 8:7 has the majicians had a frog making contest with God .

8:7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.

2 Corinthians has still another test - to know for sure if Jesus is in you:

13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

But my favorite tests are the signs of the true believers:

Mk.16:17-18 "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."

Lk.10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

Answer 5

In Romans 12 (2 or 3) it says "Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to TEST and APPROVE of what God's will is. His good, pleasing, and perfect will."

Answer 6

He was a great man in God's sight, he shewed him that he would do what he said he would do
that is there for our example, it was not a test, a confirmation
stop finding fault with the God that created you and gave you everything you have and are

Answer 7

Show me where in the Bible it says that God is not supposed to be tested?

Answer 8

Gideon's moans were just like Moses...they were not TESTS.

Answer 9

Gideon was weak minded and had little faith. The exercise was permitted to build his faith for the major work he had ahead of him.

Answer 10

It seems to me that we need to find out if God, Jesus or the Wholly Smoke is as smart as a 5th grader.