The secret things belong to the LORD our GodThis phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and omniscience of God. It acknowledges that there are aspects of God's will and plan that remain hidden from humanity. This concept is consistent with other biblical passages such as
Isaiah 55:8-9, which speaks of God's thoughts and ways being higher than ours. It also reflects the mystery of God's nature, as seen in
Job 11:7-9, where the limits of human understanding are highlighted. The phrase underscores the importance of faith and trust in God's wisdom, even when His purposes are not fully understood.
but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever
This part of the verse highlights the graciousness of God in revealing certain truths to humanity. These revelations are meant to be understood, cherished, and passed down through generations. The revealed things include the law given to Moses, the teachings of the prophets, and ultimately, the revelation of Jesus Christ as seen in the New Testament. This concept is echoed inPsalm 78:5-7, where the importance of teaching God's laws to future generations is emphasized. The permanence of these revelations is underscored by the word "forever," indicating their enduring relevance and authority.
so that we may follow all the words of this law
The purpose of God's revelation is practical and ethical, intended to guide the behavior and decisions of His people. The law given to Israel was not merely a set of rules but a covenantal guide for living in a way that reflects God's holiness and justice. This is consistent with the broader biblical narrative, where obedience to God's commands is linked to blessings and life, as seen inDeuteronomy 30:15-20. The law also serves as a tutor leading to Christ, as explained inGalatians 3:24, pointing to the need for a savior and the fulfillment of the law in Jesus. The call to follow the law is a call to live in covenant relationship with God, reflecting His character to the world.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is delivering the message of Deuteronomy to the people. He is reiterating the covenant and the laws given by God.
2.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who are receiving the laws and commandments as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.
3.
The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who reveals His laws and keeps certain things hidden according to His divine wisdom.
4.
The CovenantThe agreement between God and the Israelites, which includes blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience.
5.
The Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which the Israelites are about to enter, representing the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham.
Teaching Points
Divine Sovereignty and Human ResponsibilityRecognize that God, in His sovereignty, chooses what to reveal and what to keep hidden. Our responsibility is to focus on what He has revealed and live in obedience to His Word.
The Importance of RevelationThe things revealed by God are meant for our instruction and the instruction of future generations. We are to diligently study and apply His Word in our lives.
Trust in God's WisdomTrust that God’s hidden purposes are for our good, even when we do not understand them. This trust should lead us to a deeper faith and reliance on Him.
Generational FaithfulnessThe revealed things are for us and our children, emphasizing the importance of teaching and passing down God’s commandments to future generations.
Obedience to God's LawThe purpose of revelation is to enable us to follow God’s law. Our obedience is a response to His revealed will and a demonstration of our love for Him.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 29:29?
2.How does Deuteronomy 29:29 encourage trust in God's revealed and secret will?
3.What responsibilities do we have regarding "the things revealed" in Deuteronomy 29:29?
4.How does Deuteronomy 29:29 connect with Proverbs 25:2 about God's mysteries?
5.How can we apply "the things revealed" to our daily Christian walk?
6.In what ways does Deuteronomy 29:29 inspire obedience to God's commandments?
7.What does Deuteronomy 29:29 mean by "the secret things belong to the LORD our God"?
8.How does Deuteronomy 29:29 address the limits of human understanding?
9.Why does God choose to reveal only certain things according to Deuteronomy 29:29?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 29?
11.What is remote viewing?
12.What does "God will reveal the hidden things" mean?
13.What secrets belong solely to the Lord?
14.What does God reveal about hidden secrets?What Does Deuteronomy 29:29 Mean
The secret things belong to the LORD our GodGod reserves some matters solely for His own counsel.
•Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “My thoughts are not your thoughts… My ways are higher than your ways,” underscoring that His infinite wisdom cannot be fully grasped.
•Romans 11:33-34 celebrates the “depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God,” echoingJob 11:7-9 andDaniel 2:22.
• These verses assure us that while certain details of His plans, timing, or purposes stay hidden, they are not arbitrary; they rest in His perfect, loving sovereignty.
but the things revealed belong to us and to our childrenWhat God does disclose is intended to be embraced, trusted, and passed on.
•Psalm 78:5-7 calls parents to teach “the testimony” so the next generation will “set their hope in God.”
•Deuteronomy 6:6-9 places God’s words “on your heart,” urging us to talk of them at home, on the road, at bedtime, and at rising.
•2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms Scripture’s sufficiency: it is “profitable for teaching… so that the man of God may be complete.”
• By revelation God invites us into covenant relationship, providing all we need for faith and godly living (1 Corinthians 2:10).
foreverGod’s disclosed Word remains permanently authoritative.
•Isaiah 40:8 declares, “The word of our God stands forever,” a truth Jesus repeats: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
• Its relevance never expires; every generation is equally responsible to receive and transmit it (1 Peter 1:25).
so that we may follow all the words of this lawRevelation is given for obedience, not mere information.
•James 1:22-25 urges us to be “doers of the word,” not forgetful hearers.
• Jesus links love and obedience: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).
•Deuteronomy 30:11-14 emphasizes that God’s commands are “not too difficult,” because He has already brought His Word near.
Practical takeaways:
– Study Scripture regularly, trusting it supplies every directive we need.
– Teach children intentionally, weaving God’s truth into ordinary life moments.
– Rest content with God’s hidden counsel, focusing on obeying what He has plainly said.
summaryDeuteronomy 29:29 divides reality into two spheres: (1) God’s unrevealed wisdom, which calls us to humble trust, and (2) God’s revealed Word, which calls us to lifelong, generational obedience. What He keeps secret is His prerogative; what He makes known is our inheritance—permanent, sufficient, and meant to shape every aspect of life.
(29)
The secret things belong unto the Lord our God.--The immediate connection of these words with the context is not clear. Rashi connects the "secret things" with the "imagination of the evil heart of the secret idolater" of
Deuteronomy 29:19. (The "secret faults" of
Psalm 19:12 is the same expression.) His note runs thus: "And if thou say, What can we do? wilt Thou punish the many for the devices of the one? as it is said (
Deuteronomy 29:18), 'lest there be among you
man or woman,'and afterwards (
Deuteronomy 29:22), 'they shall see the plagues
of that land;' and yet, Is there any man that knoweth the secrets of his fellow? It is not that I shall punish you for those secrets; they belong to the Lord our God, and He will exact them from the individual sinner; but the things that are
disclosedbelong to us and to our children, to 'put away the evil from the midst of us.' And if judgment is not executed among them, the many will be punished." But it is impossible not to feel that there is more behind the words of this passage than this. We must remember that Moses was delivering to Israel not law only but prophecy. And further, we may be certain that there was more in this latter portion of his prophecy than he could understand. May not this be one of the occasions concerning which the apostle says of the prophets, that they "searched
what or what manner of timethe spirit of Christ which was in them did signify"? All those curses were to come upon Israel, and yet, after that, there was still a covenant with them, embracing every generation to the world's end. Must not Moses have longed to know what would befall his people in the latter days? and if we ourselves, "upon whom the ends of the world are come," do not yet see the future of Israel distinctly, are not the words appropriate still? "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: the things that are revealed belong to us and
to our children for ever."To the very end, what better way is there than this? "Lord, I have
hoped for Thy salvation,and
done Thy commandments"(
Psalm 119:166).
. . .Verse 29. - Bysecret things, here, some understand "hidden sins," which are known only to God, and which he will punish (Targum Jon.); but the meaning rather is, things in God's purpose known only to himself: these things, it is affirmed, belong to him, are his affair, and may be left with him. On the other hand, the things revealed are the things made known by God to man in his Word, viz. his injunctions, threatenings, and promises; and with these men have to do. This verse is by some regarded as part of the answer given to the question of ver. 24; but others regard it as a general reflection added by Moses by way of admonition to his previous discourse. This latter view is the more probable, and the scribes may have had this in their mind when they distinguished the words,unto us and to our children, by placing over them extraordinary points , in order to emphasize them, though by many this is regarded as a mere critical notation, indicating a various reading (Buxtorf, 'Tiberias,' 1. c. 17, p. 179; Havernick, 'Introd.,' p. 281; Bleek, 'Einleit,' p. 799).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
The secret [things belong]
הַ֨נִּסְתָּרֹ֔ת(han·nis·tā·rōṯ)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 5641:To hide, conceal
to the LORD
לַיהוָ֖ה(Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel
our God,
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ(’ĕ·lō·hê·nū)
Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 430:gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
but the things revealed
וְהַנִּגְלֹ֞ת(wə·han·niḡ·lōṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - feminine plural
Strong's 1540:To denude, to exile, to reveal
belong to us
לָ֤ׄנׄוּׄ(lā·nū)
Preposition | first person common plural
Strong's Hebrew
and to our children
וּׄלְׄבָׄנֵׄ֙יׄנׄוּׄ֙(ū·lə·ḇā·nê·nū)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | first person common plural
Strong's 1121:A son
forever,
עַד־(‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704:As far as, even to, up to, until, while
so that we may follow
לַעֲשׂ֕וֹת(la·‘ă·śō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6213:To do, make
all
כָּל־(kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, every
the words
דִּבְרֵ֖י(diḇ·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a cause
of this
הַזֹּֽאת׃(haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063:Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,
law.
הַתּוֹרָ֥ה(hat·tō·w·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451:Direction, instruction, law
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OT Law: Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to Yahweh our (Deut. De Du)
