WIY –
But who says we need to give them what to hang their hat on? There is plenty of bechira to go around without that, as you yourself acknowledge. And think of it as a relationship. A father might test his son’s loyalties, but it kind of makes sense that he should at least make it clear to his son that he’s the father and not have him wondering all his life if he is or not and whether all of his loyalty is in vain. There’s a reason you don’t find this argument in the rishonim. Ein Hakadosh Baruch Hu ba bitrunya im briyosav.