Secret Things Deuteronomy 29

Deuteronomy 29:29 "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."

This chapter is an introduction to the Palestinian Covenant (as called by some). It, again, gives a brief summary of the journey from Egypt through the wilderness to now.

Here we are reminded of the miracles of the wilderness v5-6. Moses said your clothes did not wear out and your shoe did not get old and you were fed with bread from heaven.

v3-4 "The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles; Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day."

v15 He says the covenant is not just for those who hear him but for those ""...also with him that is not here with us this day;"

If they do not do right, there will be shame brought upon them and all nations will see it and scoff at the sight v24 and know that it was because Israel forsook their God. v26

Then in verse 29 Moses gives a hint that even with all his extensive teaching of the law, there is still more that they do not know. Those secret things belong to God but what God has revealed belong to them. I believe these secret things speak of the coming plan of salvation and the gospel reaching out to the Gentiles and coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. v10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God."

So, I see a gradual progression of revelation to man of the things of God. We have a much clearer understanding of the whole picture now than they did at the time of our study.

I Peter 1:10 "Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you; v11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow."

Psalm 22 gives a perfect description of the sufferings of Christ, but even as David wrote the psalm, I doubt that he fully understood what was written. He, no doubt, trusted in the Lord's salvation but was not permitted to understand all the details.

Daniel was very concerned about the future of Israel and prayed for many days while fasting. Many things were revealed to him. Our study of the book of Revelation would be difficult without the writings of Daniel.

Not only is the plan of salvation very amazing, but the plan to achieve it is very amazing. There was an attempt to kill Moses before he ever led the children of Israel out of Egypt. There were attempts to destroy Israel by leading them into sin. Then there was the blindness that existed during the time of Christ to the love of God. Who would have thought that the death of the Messiah was part of the plan of God until, on the third day, when he arose.

There could be no preaching of victory over sin and death until one came and achieved this victory all in his own power. Now, we know that victory is possible. In Jesus, victory is possible.

Here in Deuteronomy 29, we can only see that there is something 'not revealed'. We do not need to know all the things God knows. We do know that which applies to us. Paul saw things which he could not speak of, but we will know all in good time.

In Corinthians Paul, somewhat mysteriously, tells of being caught up into the third heaven and seeing things.

II Corinthians 12:2 "I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago (Whether in the body, I cannot tell, or whether out of the body, I cannot tell; God knoweth:) such an one caught up to the third heaven v3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth:) v4 How that he was caught up into paradise and heard unspeakable words which it is not lawful for a man to utter."

I find it very exciting that there are still things to come that we do not yet know about and things to see that we have not yet seen. I do not see us having one boring day in heaven!

Psalms 49:15 "But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah."