I see some in this thread suggesting you're just being a combative arse and will not argue in good faith. Since you replied to my response, I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt.

1) First things first... and if you genuinely want to understand, I insist you answer this question honestly... Do you understand the girlfriend analogy I previously presented: a) if, from a stable dating state, you begin to ignore her and take her for granted, you are testing the relationship in a negative way and there probably will be repercussions in the relationship eventually, and b) if, from a stable dating state, you propose to your girlfriend, that commitment to marriage can also be a positively oriented test and an act of faith in which you have to humble yourself and commit to the possibility of a higher union with her.

Do you understand this or is anything unclear?

I think it's pretty straight-forward, and if you apply this simple logic of state change towards or away from a girlfriend to a relationship with God, it parallels just fine. It explains every instance you provide of "don't test God" as facing repercussions from moving away from God.

It also clearly explains the Malachi scripture you posted. The context of that part of Malachi is that the people were not fully committing to God (in their tithes). And if you are cheating in small things like tithes, you can't really say you're committed to God above worldly things, can you? And he's clearly saying if they have faith and commit to him, they'll find their rewards multiplied. There is nothing ambiguous about this. "Test" is tangential here. It's not testing limits before punishment as the previous examples. He's saying, give yourself over to me in full (including in the small things like tithes), and see just how well you're rewarded (read: test the limits of my generosity if you're truly faithful and pure in all things; NOT test me (God) as that is an act of egoism / arrogance).

Moving on from Malachi to the Elijah part, you quote my previous bit on Malachi:

quote:
10Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.

and you follow with the following question and commentary:

quote:
So with that in mind, Elijah is “moving towards God” in his test and is rewarded? I just don’t see it. He’s putting God on the spot asking him for stuff which to me is the same thing that the Israelites did during the exodus.

No, you're completely missing the point. Elijah is not now moving towards God with expecation of reward. Re-read both the scripture you originally posted and my previous answer:

quote:
36And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. 37Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” 38Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

*** In the Kings scripture, when Elijah calls for an answer from God, he has already explicity defined that he is a servant of God and done what God has asked of him. He is leaning into God here, not away from him. He has already surrendered to God and is following orders to the best of his understanding. He is NOT standing apart from God and demanding justification from God from egoic desire. The scripture reads clearly this way with Elijah basically saying, "OK, God, I did everything you asked of me, and it's in your hands now to reveal the Truth of it." So, I don't even really see Elijah testing God the way you're trying to imply.

Here is the chronology of what happens in that scripture and what it means:

1) "Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel,"

Elijah declares the station of the God as God. This is the opposite of challenging God or testing him.

2) "Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word."

Elijah, having acknowledged God to be God (and NOT tested him), now relates his station as being a servant to God. This is a statement of humility that suggests Elijah knows his place (the opposite of testing God). And he elaborates that he has OBEYED God's commands and "done all these things at your word." *** OBEYING is a hugely important and is completely the opposite of testing God.

3) After everything is done according to God's will and Elijah's ability, only now does Elijah turn to God and say, " 37Answer me, O LORD, answer me, that this people may know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”

Again, there is no test of God. He, in fact, repeats his recognition of God being God, and the answer he is asking for appears to be that God now accept the prepared offering so that others might know he's God. In no way does Elijah challenge God to justify himself for Elijah's sake. He is just finishing a ritual as God ordered and now putting the ball in God's court to respond according to God's will. That is it. You're straining beyond any semblance of logic or reason to suggest otherwise.

Further, this sequence of Elijah's statements in the passage:
1) recognize God
2) recognize your place as a servant or sinner
3) ask / pray for something (asking for some form of answer)

is highly consistent with most prayers.

When you say the Lord's prayer, you start by acknowledging "Our Father, who art in heaven", before asking God to provide daily bread and protection from being led into sin (which implicitly acknowledges your own frailty).

When you say the Jesus prayer, "Lord Jesus Christ, son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." ... you start with acknowledging God/Jesus, and you ask for mercy (implicitly stating your weakness as a sinner)

Asking for mercy or daily bread is not testing God, and neither is Elijah obeying God, then upon completing his instructions, turning to God to say... okay, God, I did my part, and now I turn to you that you might answer and let the people know you are God.