[stuartcr]

So it’s an exercise?

God does something to person-a, all the while knowing what person-a will do, so person-b may not do the same thing?...all the while, God knows what person-b is going to do anyway?

[cuban leaf]

—So it’s an exercise?—

I suppose, in a way, maybe. I think of it as showing the person being tested who he is. It’s also a form of training.

IOW, as with most (all?) things God does, it is not singular in purpose.

[cuban leaf]

—God does something to person-a, all the while knowing what person-a will do, so person-b may not do the same thing?...all the while, God knows what person-b is going to do anyway?—
Partly. I do believe that one of the primary functions of the events documented in the OT is to teach humanity, through His relationship with Israel, how we should live and who He is.

But it goes further than that. I believe he tests person A to demonstrate something to person A.