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Deuteronomy 5:29
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!

Psalm 81:13
Oh that my people had hearkened unto me,and Israel had walked in my ways!

Psalm 107:15,43
Oh thatmen would praise the LORDfor his goodness, andfor his wonderful works to the children of men! …

they would

Isaiah 10:3
And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolationwhich shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

Isaiah 47:7
And thou saidst, I shall be a lady for ever:so that thou didst not lay thesethings to thy heart, neither didst remember the latter end of it.

Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people loveto have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

they would understand it
Understanding in this context implies a deep comprehension of God's will and the consequences of disobedience. The Israelites had witnessed God's mighty acts, from the plagues in Egypt to the provision in the wilderness, yet they often failed to grasp the significance of these events. This lack of understanding is a common critique in the prophetic books, where prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah lament the people's spiritual blindness (Isaiah 6:9-10,Jeremiah 5:21). Understanding is not merely intellectual but involves a heart aligned with God's purposes.

they would comprehend their fate
The fate of the Israelites is tied to their covenant relationship with God.Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, setting the stage for the consequences that would follow their actions. The historical context shows that Israel's failure to adhere to the covenant led to exile and suffering, as seen in the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities. This phrase also points to the prophetic warnings given by Moses and later prophets about the dire outcomes of turning away from God. In a broader theological sense, it foreshadows the ultimate fate of humanity apart from Christ, who is the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17).

Deuteronomy 32:29 opens with the Lord’s yearning cry: “If only they were wise.” He speaks of Israel, yet the principle stretches to every generation. Wisdom, in Scripture, is never mere intellect; it is living in reverent submission to God (Proverbs 9:10;Psalm 111:10).

• God had already supplied every reason for Israel to walk wisely—His miracles in Egypt, provision in the wilderness, the covenant promises (Deuteronomy 4:6-9).

• Their refusal shows a heart issue, not an information deficit.James 1:5 reminds believers that God “gives generously to all without finding fault” when we ask for wisdom, underscoring His readiness to supply what Israel lacked by choice.

• The lament also exposes human responsibility: the Lord does not excuse sin by saying, “They could not help it,” but pleads, “If only…” Freedom to obey and accountability for disobedience stand side by side (Joshua 24:15).

The verse continues, “they would understand it.” What is “it”? In context (Deuteronomy 32:28-30), “it” is the link between covenant unfaithfulness and the calamities overtaking them.

• Moses had just sung that one Israelite could chase a thousand only “if their Rock had sold them” (v. 30). Spiritual blindness kept the nation from recognizing that their defeats were divine discipline, not mere military misfortune (Psalm 107:43;Hosea 14:9).

• Understanding flows from wisdom. When the heart fears God, the mind perceives His hand in life’s events (Isaiah 5:12; 44:18-19).

• Believers today gain similar clarity: trials, blessings, discipline—each is interpreted through God’s revealed Word (Hebrews 12:5-11;Romans 8:28).

Finally, the Lord says the wise would “comprehend their fate.” The Hebrew song looks both to imminent national judgment and to ultimate destiny.

• Immediate fate: exile, scattering, and sword were promised if Israel broke covenant (Leviticus 26:33-39;Deuteronomy 32:35-36).

• Ultimate fate: apart from repentance, the end is ruin; yet for the faithful remnant, God promises vindication (Zechariah 13:8-9;Romans 11:26-27).

• For every person, fate hinges on response to God’s revelation. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Those who ignore His warnings share Israel’s peril; those who heed find life (John 3:36;Hebrews 10:26-31).

Deuteronomy 32:29 captures God’s grieving invitation: choose wisdom, see His hand, and grasp where disobedience leads. The verse warns against spiritual dullness while assuring that true understanding is available to all who fear the Lord and trust His Word.