Tempting God

Dear brethren,

Today's readings
Numbers 34-36; Luke 4

Luke 4:12
And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

In most other versions, the expression is rendered as “test” or putting to test. Most notable example is that mentioned in Exodus 17:1-7.
So how does one tempt God?
1) By doubting His ability
As in the case of Ex 17 and most other events for example, the provision of mana and quail (Ex 16). The Psalmist wrote of this quite extensively in Psa 78:18ff.
And this was despite the fact that God had provided for them again and again, and not just in small ways but in major, earth shattering ways! The most impactful at that time being the 10 plagues and crossing of the Red Sea which had left a deep impact even in the Gentile world, years later (c.f. Jos 2:10; 1Sam 4:8).
God expects us to trust Him! And it is not a “blind”, “mindless” belief but backed by centuries of undisputed evidence.
This is a broad category and in a sense what the succeeding points boil down to. In this case of Satan’s temptation, is a direct challenge to God’s ability. Satan was of course ripping the passage out of context but nevertheless, it is not right for Christians to engage in reckless behavior. It is as good as violating what Paul mentioned in Rom 6 - sinning that Grace may abound!

2) Hypocrisy
This was mentioned in the case of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:9
The problem was not that they did not give up the entire proceeds of the sale (v.5:4, it was in their power i.e. completely up to them to give what they wanted. Nobody had any right to compel them) but that they made it seem like that was so. This was a major issue with the Pharisees, that Jesus so sternly rebuked of (c.f. Mat 23). It is as if God is a fool that as long as we look good before men, we’re good with God!

3) Own righteousness
When we think we know better, that we can do better than what God had stated. As in the case of some of the early Jewish converts trying to impose parts of Judaism on the Gentile converts. Luke recorded in Acts 15:10
“Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” When we think we can “up the game” by going beyond God’s Word or substituting it, we have tempted Him to overlook our insubordination even as “legit” or “sincere” as it appears.

Let us therefore be reminded of the examples before us (1Co 10:11) and walk confidently and simply and in a straightforward manner as God instructs, and not tempt God lest we be caught with our “pants down” in the day of Judgment.