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… I. THE SECRET THINGS THAT BELONG TO GOD. Probably there are many material existences of which we know nothing, and, indeed, can know nothing. There are perhaps many properties of mind of which we can form no notions in our present state. Probably there are many kinds of moral government displayed in the universe under the control of God of which we have no conception. Yet it is certain that from objects of this kind no temptation to pry into them too curiously can arise. All that we can affirm is, probably other objects besides those with which we are acquainted do exist; but we know too little of them to excite any curiosity. There is no unholy prying. With respect to them all is distant and all is dark. Another class of objects from which we are more in danger of indulging the curiosity reproved in the text are those which are partly hidden and partly revealed; partly found exposed in the revelations of this book, shining with different degrees of light; but in all their reasons and detail considerably obscure. Part is prominent on the sacred page; and part is hidden under a veil which Divine wisdom has not seen proper to remove. With respect to objects of this kind, we are in more danger of penetration into God's secrets. We ask, "Where is the harm in indulging in these speculations? Is it not a part of our duty, a part of the glory of our nature, to cultivate religious knowledge?" I answer, This is true to a certain extent; but how many persons forget what it is important to remember, that one great part of our moral discipline on earth is to submit in matters of faith to God! Religion must have its secrets. It cannot be supposed that a religion which is so intimately connected with the character of the infinite God, whose perfections even angel minds cannot comprehend, on the abyss of which they must ever stand and cry, "Oh, the depth, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!" should be without mysteries. They belong to God — 1. Because He knows them. They are His secrets. Of these secrets He is completely the master. It matters not whether we discern the whole truth clearly or not; it is enough that we discover what concerns our salvation, and that the rest, however cloudy to us, burns with brightness in the bosom of God. 2. They are His, because they are the reserves He has made in communicating knowledge to man. God has a right to determine in what manner, and where, and to what extent He will communicate knowledge. All we have to do is to say (thankful for what we have and are), "Even so, Father; for so it hath seemed good in Thy sight." 3. They belong to Him in another sense; they are His property. As they are His secrets, it is an act of great boldness for any man to pry into them. II. THE THINGS REVEALED. 1. A revelation of God. 2. A revelation of man. 3. It is a revelation of Christ. Here the peculiar character of the Gospel scheme comes forth in all its glory. In fact, both the Old and New Testaments are a revelation of Christ in different modes. 4. It is a revelation of a future state, and of the means to secure final happiness. Of what importance is the Gospel in this respect! It has brought life and immortality to light. It has dissipated the gloom; it has burst the involving cloud; and all is day. (R. Watson.) 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. |
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