The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)
As we discussed in the previous devotion, there are different ideas as to what was meant by the words above. Today I want to present another view that ventures into prophecy and, therefore, should not be interpreted as a correction or replacement but an interpretation that goes hand in glove with the others. In the Hebrew text, the words translated as “belong to us and to our children” are dotted indicating the belief that there is an important homiletical teaching within those words as used in this verse. In short, God had something very important to say to that generation as well as to the future generations — or better, the last generation.
Let us consider that the Hebrew word translated “secret things” is derived from the word that means “to hide or conceal.” Its counterpart, the word translated as “revealed,” is from a root word that means “to uncover.” This particular word is galut and from it is derived the word hit’galut which is the Hebrew equivalent of “exile” or “diaspora.” (By the way, this word is the Hebrew title for the book we call The Revelation, which is literally the “uncovering”). Now consider this: Adam tried to “hide” among the trees of the garden and conceal his nakedness with fig leaves. In the end, his and Eve’s sins were “uncovered” and they were both sent into exile. When Israel tried to “hide” their sins, they were always “uncovered” which led to “exile.” This concept leads us to the important teaching within our verse.
Those who were exiled, and more importantly, their descendants have been hidden and concealed among the nations of the earth. Though they have been, by and large, concealed from man’s point of view, they have always been known to God. However, there is coming a day, so say the rabbis, that God will gather all who are His, meaning that all who have been hidden will be revealed and, even more importantly, restored. This promise of redemption was made to former generations but will be realized by a future generation — that is, “our children.” And though this speaks of Israel, it is not limited to the physical sons of Abraham.
In other words, you and I — those who are in Messiah — are part of this number, meaning that we will be revealed to the world as the sons and daughters of God. The world may not see it now but, at the appointed time, God will make it obvious who His obedient children are. In the meantime, let us consider the words of Paul who, speaking on this topic said this: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. … For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God” (Romans 8:16-17, 19).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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