The verse Deuteronomy 29:29 states: “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” This verse comes within a broader context where Moses is addressing the Israelites before they entered into the Promised Land. He reminded them of all that God had done for them and of the covenant that they had entered into with the Lord. In this verse, Moses draws a distinction between those things that God has chosen to reveal and those things that remain secret and known only to God.
There are several key points we can take away from this verse:
- There are secret things that belong exclusively to the Lord. As finite human beings, there are aspects of God’s character, plans, and purposes that remain hidden from us. We will never have complete knowledge or understanding of all that God knows or does.
- The things that are revealed belong to us. God has chosen to make known certain truths and plans to humanity. The Bible contains God’s special revelation to us of who He is, what He has done, and what He desires. These revealed things are for us to know, understand, and obey.
- Our responsibility is to focus on what has been revealed. Deuteronomy 29:29 comes after a recitation of all the mighty works of God on behalf of Israel. The revealed things testify to God’s great power and love for His people. Rather than speculating about secret mysteries, our role is to respond in faith and obedience to what God has plainly disclosed.
- There is wisdom in accepting divine mystery. God’s ways and thoughts are infinitely above ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). We should humbly acknowledge that we cannot understand or explain everything about God. Attempting to penetrate the secrets of the Almighty is futile. The proper posture is to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
- God retains sovereign control over all things. The “secret things” refer to the totality of truth known only to God. He alone sees and rules over all things. We can take comfort in knowing that history and the cosmos are guided by the all-knowing, all-powerful Creator.
In summary, Deuteronomy 29:29 provides a sobering reminder that our knowledge is limited. There are secrets known only to God. We do not have the right or ability to know all that He knows. However, we are responsible for all that God has chosen to reveal, which is sufficient for living a life of faith and obedience. Ultimately, we must trust that the all-wise God is working out His sovereign and good purposes, even in realms that remain unseen and not fully understood by us.
1. God’s knowledge is all-encompassing while human knowledge is limited
The fundamental truth highlighted in Deuteronomy 29:29 is that God’s knowledge surpasses human knowledge. As the all-knowing and all-wise Creator, God has total comprehension of all things past, present, and future. He sees and knows things that are inaccessible to finite human beings with limited perspective. 1 John 3:20 affirms that “God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” We only understand and see dimly, whereas God has complete understanding and perfect vision of all reality (1 Corinthians 13:12). Augustine said, “God has knowledge of all that is past, and all that is present, and all that is future. And that is why He calls Himself the LORD God Almighty.”
There are many mysteries that go beyond the scope of human knowledge and reason. For example, the Trinity is an unfathomable mystery – we cannot fully understand or explain how God can exist as three Persons while remaining one God. There are also mysteries related to God’s sovereign will, His providential workings, the problem of evil, the operations of the spiritual realm, the precise timing of future events, and more. Deuteronomy 29:29 acknowledges that only God possesses absolute knowledge of these secret realities that have not been plainly disclosed to humanity in Scripture.
2. God has chosen to reveal some of His knowledge for human benefit
While absolute knowledge belongs to God alone, He has graciously chosen to reveal things to humanity for our good. Moses said the things revealed belong to “us and our children forever.” God did not have to make anything about Himself known, yet in His mercy He disclosed Himself, His works, and His words. Deuteronomy 29:29 comes after Moses recounted at length God’s dealings with Israel, underscoring all the Lord had revealed to them.
The primary means by which God has revealed Himself is through the written Word of God, the Bible. Scripture unveils many truths about God’s character, man’s condition, salvation, ethics, the afterlife, and more. The psalmist exclaimed, “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand” (Psalm 139:17-18). Everything we need for faith, obedience, and life has been supplied through divine revelation.
3. Humanity is responsible to respond rightly to God’s revelation
Moses indicates the purpose of God’s revelation is “that we may do all the words of this law.” We are called to obedience. God has disclosed Himself sufficiently so that we may know Him, love Him, and live accordingly. Our role is not to speculate about undisclosed mysteries, but rather to focus on applying and obeying everything God has revealed. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Life change, not mere intellectual enlightenment, is the proper response to God’s revelation.
We must guard against demanding that God reveal more than what He has chosen to reveal. The prophet Isaiah pronounced woes upon those dissatisfied with God’s word, grumbling “Let him make speed, let him hasten his work that we may see it…let us devise our own plans” (Isaiah 5:19; 30:1). The apostle Paul similarly warned against intruding into things not seen and setting our minds on mysteries beyond what Scripture reveals (Colossians 2:18; 1 Timothy 4:7). Human longing for secret knowledge apart from God’s word reflects sinful pride and autonomy.
4. There is wisdom in accepting divine mystery
Moses’ declaration implies there is wisdom in accepting that there are secret things known only to God. Though tempting, it is foolish for us to think we can uncover or comprehend every mystery and secret counsel of the Almighty. God tells Job that there are marvels beyond his ability to understand (Job 37:5). The prophet Isaiah states, “Truly, you are a God who hides himself…no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts on behalf of those who wait for him” (Isaiah 45:15; 64:4). There are limits to human inquiry when confronted with the mystery of God.
The existence of divine secrets should produce awe, fear, and humility in us. We must rest content with the truth God has revealed, acknowledging that the hidden things are not necessary for us to know in order to have an intimate relationship with Him. As Augustine wrote, “Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.” Ours is to trust God in spite of unanswered questions and accept that His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).
5. God retains sovereign control over all things
The “secret things” referenced in Deuteronomy 29:29 encompass everything that remains undisclosed to humanity. This means God has sovereign control over the totality of truth and reality. He alone can see how all the pieces fit together. The implication is that His wise plan is unfolding exactly as He designed it to, even if events seem chaotic and meaningless to us. As Joseph told his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). We can take confidence that a wise, good, and all-powerful God is working out His purposes.
Human inability to know the secret things reserved for God simply underscores His supremacy. In Acts 1:7, Jesus says to His disciples, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.” Only the Lord has perfect knowledge, power, timing, and perspective. But this is not a cause for alarm, since we know God uses His sovereignty to faithfully work on behalf of His beloved children.
6. Attempts to uncover secrets reflect distrust in God’s revelation
Attempts to uncover the secret things of God often reflect a prideful distrust in God’s revealed word. Eve exemplified this in the garden when the serpent convinced her that enlightenment could be gained apart from God’s command (Genesis 3:1-6). Occult practices like divination, astrology, and spirit channeling all try to gain access to hidden knowledge by illegitimate means. Even elaborate theological systems that claim to have figured out things not clearly disclosed by Scripture should cause concern.
Moses’ declaration implies that God has given us enough revelation for faithfulness and obedience. The writer of Hebrews affirms that God has spoken definitively through his Son and that no other special revelation is needed (Hebrews 1:1-2). False teachers often prey on human curiosity and temptation about secret things to draw people away from simple devotion to Christ. We must resist the impulse to go beyond what Scripture reveals.
7. Focusing on speculation about mysteries can lead us astray
Attempting to penetrate the secret counsels of God is not only futile but can sidetrack us from our responsibilities. Jesus advised His disciples not to dwell on speculations about His return but instead to focus on faithful obedience (Acts 1:6-8). The apostles warn against “myths and endless genealogies” that promote useless speculation rather than godly living (1 Timothy 1:4; 4:7). Our core calling is to know, love, and obey God – not to unravel mysteries about the divine essence or decode every veiled purpose of God.
It is easy to develop preoccupations and theories about unrevealed things that lead to division and confusion. We do better to avoid “vain discussions” and occupy ourselves with the truth God has plainly disclosed in Scripture (Titus 3:9). The things revealed are more than sufficient for walking faithfully with Him. We must trust God for the hidden things outside our knowledge and capacity.
8. God reveals mysteries in His time and for His glory
Though God chooses to conceal many things, He sometimes unveils mysteries for His glory and by His timing. In the New Testament age, God disclosed the mystery of the gospel being for both Jews and Gentiles and the mystery of the incarnation of Christ (Ephesians 3:1-12; 1 Timothy 3:16). Revelation 10:7 declares that “the mystery of God would be fulfilled.” God works to make known those things previously hidden according to His will.
As we eagerly await Christ’s return, Scripture promises that the current partialness of our knowledge will give way to full revelation: “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully” (1 Corinthians 13:12). In eternity, we will have far greater understanding and insight as we dwell in God’s unveiled presence. Until then, we live trusting that God will reveal anything else we need to know when we need to know it.
9. The hidden things ultimately glorify God
Though specifics remain undisclosed, we know that in the end every secret thing will operate to magnify God’s perfect character. In Romans 11:33-36, Paul exclaims in worship over the depths of God’s wisdom, knowledge, judgments, and ways. We joyfully acknowledge that God’s ways are unsearchable and His judgments inscrutable (Romans 11:33). Even what is hidden from us glorifies Him.
One day the veil over mysteries will be lifted to display more fully the beauty, complexity, and grandeur of who God is. He will demonstrate His omniscience and sovereignty over all things. And we will join all creation in declaring, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty!” (Revelation 15:3-4). The secret things belong to God alone, and for that we humbly worship and adore Him.
