Yahweh Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle - Part One

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. . .”

It seems that at times we are so used to hearing the same interpretations of certain scriptures and principles preached from the pulpit over and over that we believe that they are 100% accurate. Yet, if we could and WOULD take the time to read and study His Torah, we might find something new, different, and even contrary to what we have been taught our whole lives. It is especially important to take the verses in context.

Take for example something we often hear when things go awry in life, “Don’t worry, dear, God would not give you more than you can handle (bear or take).” This teaching is based on the verse in 1 Corinthians 10 that people believe tells them that God has given them all the negative happenings in their lives in an effort to teach them something important, either about a situation, about others or about themselves. Is this truly what Paul is saying in these verses?

Let’s take a quick look at what 1 Corinthians 10:

Verses 1-4 talks briefly about the Children of Israel and the Exodus, then the time in the wilderness. Paul is summarizing what happened to those who did not follow Moses’ teachings from Yahweh. He briefly talks of how they ALL were under the cloud of the Lord, ALL passed through the sea together, and they ALL experienced the same “spiritual meat” and “drink”, yet in spite of the fact that they ALL went through the same experiences, some did not choose the same path of righteousness.

Verse 5 says that Yahweh was not pleased with many of them and because of this, they were “overthrown”, or struck down in the desert. He is speaking of people like Korah, Dathan, Abiram and their followers who, in the wilderness, spoke against Moses and Aaron, but especially against the Lord. They were swallowed by the earth and killed, then 14,700 were sickened with plague and died before Aaron could get to them and make atonement to Yahweh for their sins. (Numbers 16)

Verse 6-11 describes how the people of Corinth could use these examples to learn from, and that they shouldn’t lust after evil as the children of Israel did. Paul goes into detail about things not to do: don’t be idolaters, don’t commit sexual sins, do not grumble or murmur. As Paul uses the example of Korah and his followers, it appears you could safely include the additional sins they committed as part of that evil as well, which are: pride, arrogance, covetousness, envy and jealousy, just to name a few.

Then finally in Verse 13 (WEB version), we read: “No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” To help get the clearest picture, the word translated as “temptation” from Greek to English can also mean test, trial, or calamity. What is Paul actually saying in this verse?  Does he truly say, “God has not GIVEN you more than you can handle?”

Let’s look.

He explains to the people that what has happened to tempt them or whatever tried them, is nothing new and is common to mankind. It has happened before and will tempt people again, remembering that there is nothing new under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 1:9 “That which has been is that which shall be; and that which has been done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

Paul also says that Yahweh is true to us and will not allow us to be tried above what we are δύνασθε.  This Greek word translated into English is often translated as “able”, but it has another translation, which means power, and when inserted, would make the verse mean “above which we have POWER.”

The Greek word δύνασθε, transliterated as  “dunamai”, means: I am powerful, to be empowered. This gives a completely different view of the wording and the scripture. Previously it stated you were merely “able” - capable, ready, competent, adequate. With the additional clarification you are now - impressive, forceful, influential, potent, robust, vigorous as well as able and capable. Does this give a different picture in your mind of what will happen in our lives when we are tried or tempted?  We will not just be “able” but we will be empowered and forceful in overcoming.

In addition, we need to see clearly that Paul does not say Yahweh will GIVE us trials, he says Yahweh ALLOWS it, but it will not be above what we have the power within us to push through. Let me ask you for a moment, what power do you have?

John 14:12 WEB Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.

We are told to be like Elijah, who performed great wonders and miracles (James 5:17-18). Elisha was given the mantle of Elijah, and asked for double the portion of Elijah’s spirit, then did greater than he (2 Kings 2:9). The scriptures prophecy of the Messiah coming and performing miracles, and Yeshua performed many miracles similar to those of Elijah and Elisha. If we are to be able to do more than Yeshua accomplished, then using all these miracles as a testimony to us of our ability, do you now see what Paul was describing of us? There is nothing that comes our way that we cannot power through.

When you carry on through the verse to the final sentence, Paul says that when the temptations happen, when they are allowed to move through our lives, Yahweh will also “make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” What is this way of escape? It is an exit, a way out. It is the final outcome and result.   When things happen, whether brought on by our own actions, those of others, or just by the nature of things on this planet due to the fall of Adam, Yahweh will point to the exit, and prepare a way so that we will be able to carry on and bring forth the outcome.

One description explained the Greek word to mean “carry under”, like a powerful river undercurrent. How does an undercurrent work? An undercurrent of a river or stream goes unnoticed, flowing silently underneath the surface of the river. It is often much stronger than the surface current, moving boulders, rocks and other bottom material in its way. While the surface current will mosey along, the undercurrent uses its power to accomplish it’s task of pushing objects out of its path and faster, farther, and away from the immediate area. The undercurrent may cause some erosion or redefining landscape, and it is often credited for cleaning up toxic sediments or moving debris that is causing problems.  Down the line, that sand, stone, and silt will create new shorelines, deltas, and islands adding to the landscape and habitat, making things better in the long run. Can you see how that may be likened to what Yahweh does to us as he makes the exit visible, and carries us along to the way out of the trial or temptation?

The next time you see or hear someone, even yourself, trying to say that Yahweh has given this trial as a challenge to better them, that He has thrust some negative circumstance upon them on purpose, it is hoped that you would instead help them to understand that Yahweh is a loving father who has fortified them with the power to follow the current that leads to the exit that He has prepared. Yahweh does not give us problems, he gives us power to overcome problems.  He does not give us sickness, he gives us the power to be healed and to heal the sick.

Blessings and Shalom