Secret Things
C. Holland, M. A. Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children for ever… These words remind us that in scanning God's works and ways there is a limit beyond which we cannot go. Consequently, true wisdom is to be contented with that degree of knowledge which God gives of Himself and His works. In this world, and with infinite capacities, we must remain in the dark as to many mysteries, both in nature and in heavenly things, which we should exceedingly like to know more about. We cannot be surprised at this. Our minds are too small to grasp the mind and thoughts of the Infinite. Besides, God conceals some things which perhaps we could understand on purpose to test and try our faith. We must take Him on trust, and feel sure where He is silent it is best for us to be satisfied, and remain ignorant. But this is not easy to men of great minds and powers of thought. Man in his natural condition resists these limitations. He would fain be wiser than God would have him. This desire becomes disastrous in its results to many. Man becomes "vain in his imaginations, and professing to be wise, becomes a fool." Man, not being permitted to know all, refuses to accept the little he is permitted to know if he seeks to learn in God's own way. Yet, after all, how little do we know of all the things around us and about us and within us! We are limited on every side. We are mysteries to ourselves, being fearfully and wonderfully made. The union between body and mind, between reasoning powers and the matter or substance on which they act, "such knowledge is too wonderful for me, I cannot attain unto it." The action of electricity; the movement of the needle towards the pole; the maintenance of the vital spark within us; the atmosphere in which God makes us "live, move, and have our being"; the gravitation of everything to the centre of the earth, and the way the same principle acts on all the heavenly bodies; those heavenly orbs themselves — all these are mysteries of which we know next to nothing beyond the fact of their existence and something about their action. Can we wonder that those spiritual things which are not visible to the human eye, and those eternal verities concerning the great and almighty Creator of all, should be shrouded in mysteries beyond our power to unravel? Can we be surprised to be continually met with the prohibition from on high, "Thus far, and no farther"? Secret things belong to God; the things that are revealed are for us, and even for our very babes, to understand. God has in a measure and in a way revealed Himself to us. Created things reveal His "eternal power and Godhead." The eye of faith sees Him in Christ. Having this knowledge to begin with, the other revealed truths become plain, and bring contentment as to all God keeps close in His own bosom. We are content to wait. We know enough of God as in Christ to make us love Him with all our hearts, to make us sure He is acting wisely and lovingly in all that befalls us. We know for certain that we need lack no good thing here, and certainly shall not want anything hereafter that makes for eternal happiness. (C. Holland, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. WEB: The secret things belong to Yahweh 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.