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Why Does God Test You?
Aug 7 2026
Re'eh "See?"
TORAH: Deut. 11:26-16:17
Have you ever wondered what motivates God to test you?
In this week’s Torah portion, Re’eh, we come across a fascinating passage in Deuteronomy 13 where God tells Israel that they would face tests that would reveal what was truly in their hearts.
God warns them that a prophet or dreamer could arise and give a sign or a wonder—and that sign could actually come true. But then that same person could try to convince Israel to follow other gods.
The test was not simply about whether something supernatural happened. The deeper issue was whether Israel would remain faithful to God.
Deuteronomy 13:3 says:
“For the LORD your God is testing you to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”
That gives us an important perspective on the tests we face.
Not every difficult situation is simply a battle against us. Sometimes a test reveals what is really going on inside our hearts.
Do we cling to God when things become difficult?
Do we trust Him when we do not understand what is happening?
Do we still love Him with all our heart and soul when something challenges our faithfulness to Him?
This connects directly with the great command found in Deuteronomy 6:5:
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
But there is another way we can examine whether we truly love God with all our heart.
Do we love what God loves?
Just one chapter later, in Deuteronomy 14:2, God reminds Israel of something very important:
“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”
Israel is described as God’s treasured possession.
That means our love for God should also shape the way we view the things—and the people—that He loves.
We do not get to say that we love God while choosing to oppose what He has chosen to love.
The test of our heart is not only whether we say we love Him, but whether our lives, our loyalties, and even our attitudes come into agreement with His heart.
So perhaps the question Re’eh leaves us with is simple:
When our hearts are tested, will we cling to Him, trust Him, love Him with all our heart—and love what He loves?
Shabbat Shalom.
NEXT PORTION Shoftim "Judges"
TORAH: Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9
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