DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that the Creator and God of Israel used to test His chosen?
“When personal bias silences truth, it’s not your words that speak—it’s your heart that testifies.”
—For as Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.”
🔍 Explanation of Proverbs 4:23 in This Context
Proverbs 4:23 warns that the “heart”—in Hebrew thought, the center of one’s thoughts, will, emotions, and desires—shapes the direction of a person’s entire life. It isn’t just about feelings; it's about the moral compass, intellectual reasoning, and spiritual discernment that influence every choice we make.
If the heart is imbalanced, misled, or driven by emotion and traditions of men rather than truth, it will inevitably lead to poor decisions, even if those decisions feel right or look religious on the surface.
⚠️ When Emotion and Tradition Trump Truth
When someone repeatedly makes major life decisions based on:
Cultural traditions
Emotional comfort
Personal interpretations
…rather than historical evidence and the unchanging standard of the Hebrew Scriptures, they place themselves at risk of spiritual self-deception.
Even if one professes Christianity, claims to be “led by the spirit,” or believes in love and grace, their choices may reveal something entirely different:
Choosing New Testament doctrines that conflict with the Torah
Ignoring clear contradictions or historical inconsistencies
Justifying a faith that’s not rooted in the original foundation (the Hebrew Bible)
This disconnect proves that their heart is not fully aligned with truth, no matter how loudly they proclaim faith.
✅ A Balanced Heart Is Anchored in Truth
To "guard your heart" means to:
Test your beliefs against Scripture (not emotion)
Value evidence over tradition
Submit to the authority of YaHuWaH’s Torah, not modern doctrine
Remain spiritually grounded in what is historically and theologically consistent
🔊 Summary Quote
“When the heart is driven more by emotional comfort, tradition, or personal interpretation than by truth and evidence, even the most spiritual words can’t hide what your actions reveal—your foundation is unstable, and your life choices testify against you.”
THE HEART AND MIND
Jeremiah 17:10 (Hebrew Context)
“I, YaHuWaH, search the heart; I test the reins (mind), to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”
In Hebrew:
“I search the heart” — boḥēn lēv (בּוֹחֵן לֵב)
“I test the mind” — boḥēn kilyot (בּוֹחֵן כִּלְיֹת)
“Kilyot” literally refers to the physical mind, as the organ, and kidneys; however, it also is the interior self, which in Hebrew thought symbolizes inner emotion and affection.
Does YaHuWaH test directly or through the adversary?
Scripture shows both direct testing by YaHuWaH and indirect testing through the adversary (ha-satan, "the accuser" or "adversary"):
1. Direct Testing by YaHuWaH
YaHuWaH tests people to reveal what’s in their heart—not because He doesn’t know, but to expose it to them and others.
Deuteronomy 8:2 — “YaHuWaH your Elohim led you… to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart.”
Genesis 22:1 — “Elohim tested Abraham…”
Here, the tests are allowed or initiated by YaHuWaH Himself for the sake of refinement, obedience, and revealing character.
2. Testing through the Adversary
At times, YaHuWaH allows the adversary (satan) to act as the tool of testing, but under His control.
Job 1–2 — The adversary tests Job only with YaHuWaH’s permission.
1 Kings 22:22 — A lying spirit is sent to test a king’s decision, again at YaHuWaH’s allowance.
Judges 2:22 — YaHuWaH leaves some nations in the land to test Israel's obedience.
This shows that while the adversary tempts, YaHuWaH uses it to test. There's a difference:
Temptation (by the adversary) is meant to cause failure.
Testing (by YaHuWaH) is meant to reveal truth, build character, or bring repentance.
summary:
YaHuWaH directly tested the mind and heart of the Israelites, but He allowed the adversary to act as a refining tool. In either case, the purpose is judgment according to truth (Jer. 17:10) and to expose the condition of one’s heart, especially when personal bias or desires override truth.
When YaHuWaH directly tested, it was always for the betterment, refinement, or preservation of Israel as a nation, even if it involved individual testing. These tests were never arbitrary; they were deeply purposeful, often aimed at:
Revealing the heart condition
Correcting rebellion or disobedience
Strengthening trust in Him
Separating the faithful from the unfaithful
Preparing them for covenantal blessings or responsibilities
Let’s break that down with some solid examples from Torah and the Prophets:
🧪 1. Deuteronomy 8:2 — Testing in the Wilderness
“And you shall remember that YaHuWaH your Elohim led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.”
✅ Purpose: To humble and refine Israel so that they could depend fully on Him
👉 For their good, not their destruction (see verse 16)
🧪 2. Exodus 15:25 — Bitter Waters Made Sweet
“There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them.”
✅ Purpose: To train Israel to trust His provision
👉 This test came immediately after deliverance, pointing to His desire for a relationship built on obedience and trust.
🧪 3. Judges 2:21–22 — Leaving Nations to Test Israel
“...in order to test Israel by them, whether they will keep the way of YaHuWaH.”
✅ Purpose: To see if Israel would remain faithful among pagan influences
👉 This test was nationally designed to preserve identity and covenant loyalty.
🧪 4. Genesis 22:1 — Testing Abraham
“Elohim tested Abraham…”
✅ Though this was personal, Abraham is the father of the nation.
👉 His faith had national implications, setting the standard for obedience.
🧪 5. Psalm 66:10–12 — Theological Summary
“For You, O Elohim, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined… You laid affliction on our backs… but You brought us out to rich fulfillment.”
✅ Testing = Refinement
👉 Always with the goal of restoration, maturity, and blessing.
✅ Conclusion:
YaHuWaH’s direct tests were for Israel’s betterment: to refine, discipline, and prepare them to walk as His covenant people, a light to the nations (Isaiah 42:6). Even when harsh, it was a loving act of divine correction with national purpose.
MODERN DAY TESTING
Based on TaNaKh, YaHuWaH is not currently testing Israel as a unified nation in the way He did during their national existence in the land. Since Israel is currently scattered and no longer functioning as a unified nation, it is reasonable to say that YaHuWaH is not directly testing Israel at this time. Until He regathers His people, Elijah returns, and the true Messiah is revealed to become Prince and King of Israel, the season of direct national testing appears to be paused. Here's why:
✅ 1. Israel is Currently Scattered
According to the Hebrew Scriptures:
“But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of YaHuWaH God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:”
— Deuteronomy 28:15
“And YaHuWaH shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone (idol statues, made of wood and stone, and images or figuers of men and women) .”
— Deuteronomy 28:64
“And I will scatter you among the nations… until I make the land desolate.”
— Leviticus 26:33
“And YaHuWaH shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.”
— Deuteronomy 28:68
Israel’s national disobedience led to their scattering, which has not yet been fully reversed. According to the prophets, biblical regathering is still future and conditional. The only people who historically and accurately align with the curses described in Deuteronomy 28 are the melanated descendants of those taken on ships during the Transatlantic Slave Trade. Deuteronomy 28:64 mentions that these various gods in the land of slavery, that their forefathers would not know them.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as well as the generations who followed the covenant with YaHuWaH and lived according to His commandments, never knew a Jesus, the concept of worshiping a man, or a trinity. These patriarchs are consistently referenced throughout the Torah as the foundational lineage to whom YaHuWaH made His promises and covenants (e.g., Genesis 17:7, Exodus 3:6).
✅ 2. The Final Regathering is a One-Time Event by YaHuWaH
“Then YaHuWaH your Elohim will bring you back from captivity… and gather you again from all the nations.”
— Deuteronomy 30:3-5
This is a future prophecy, and it’s tied to:
Repentance and worldwide Torah observance
The return of Elijah (Malachi 4:5–6)
The arrival of the Messianic king from David’s line (Ezekiel 37:24–28)
Until these three components occur, Israel as a nation remains in exile.
✅ 3. Elijah’s Return Ushers the Final Restoration
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of YaHuWaH.”
— Malachi 4:5–6
Elijah’s role is national: to turn hearts, call for repentance, and prepare the way for the final gathering and the coming King.
✅ 4. Current Testing Is Individual, Not National
While YaHuWaH still allows the adversary to test individuals, even those who are scattered Israel, there is no scriptural indication that He is currently directly testing Israel as a nation in this time of exile.
This is important:
National testing required national presence and leadership.
Since Israel is not yet restored, national tests (like in the wilderness, under judges or kings) are on pause until the final restoration.
The adversary is still created to test the hearts and minds of people to see if they will obey YaHuWaH or men.
🔥 Therefore, it is accurate to say:
"Until YaHuWaH gathers scattered Israel for the final time, sends Elijah to turn their hearts, and ushers in the true Messianic King from David’s line, He is not directly testing Israel as a nation—because the nation is not yet whole."
Unlearn, Deprogram, and Re-think EVERYTHING you were taught!
At WOTR, we don’t position ourselves as self-professed prophets, teachers, leaders, or mentors, nor do we affiliate with any specific group, sect, religion, or recruitment center. Our goal is not to instruct but to offer a platform for exploration and education. We provide information across a wide range of topics using resources like Scholarly articles, Strong's Concordance, Encyclopedia Britannica, dictionaries, word etymology, and other trusted references.
These tools are here to help you broaden your perspective and engage critically with the material, empowering you to make informed decisions on your life journey. Our core values and unwavering trust are rooted in the unchanging Hebrew ToRaH of the Creator and God of Israel. We strongly encourage everyone to measure all opinions against this widely accepted foundation, for who would question the instructions of the Creator of all things?
There is no commandment in the Hebrew ToRaH from the God of Israel that requires Israelites to pray through an intermediary to commune with Him. Instead, the Hebrew TaNaKh emphasizes the importance of direct communication between the Nation of Israel, identified as the God of Israel’s son (Exodus 4:22-23 and Hosea 11:1), and YaHuWaH—much like the relationship between a father and his child—without the need for a mediator.
Isaiah 29:13
13 Wherefore YaHuWaH said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
The prophet Isaiah 29:13 states that the people of Israel outwardly honor YaHuWaH with their words, but their hearts are far from Him. Today, the world finds itself in the same condition—people’s fear (or reverence) of YaHuWaH is not genuine but is shaped by human traditions, emotionalism, religious systems, and the worship of an intermediary savior, all rooted in the precepts of men rather than His unchanging Torah. This means they are not truly following YaHuWaH’s instructions but are worshiping Him through man-made rules and religious pagan customs. Because these teachings come from human tradition rather than the Torah, they lead people away from the true ways of YaHuWaH. Worship that is not rooted in truth becomes vain (shav’ - שָׁוְא)—useless, deceptive, and lacking substance (Exodus 20:7).
Ezekiel 18:30-32
30 Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the YaHuWaH God. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
31 Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith YaHuWaH God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.
BaT DaBaR 7:14 “2 Chronicles” Hebrew TaNaKh
14 When my people, who bear MY NAME humble themselves, pray, and seek my favor and TURN from their evil ways; I will hear in my heavenly abode, and FORGIVE their sins, and will heal their land.
MaKhiYaH 6:8 “Micah”
8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth YaHuWaH require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy ALuWaH?
ZaMaR 119:10-11 “Psalm”
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Psalm 119:10-11 expresses a deep commitment to seeking and following YaHuWaH's commandments. The psalmist declares that they have wholeheartedly sought after YaHuWaH and asks not to be led astray from His ToRaH. Furthermore, the psalmist has treasured YaHuWaH's word in their heart to avoid sinning against Him, showing a desire to live righteously by keeping the God of Israel’s ToRaH close.