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SECRET THINGS AND REVEALED THINGS

There are things that only God knows, and there are things he has made known to us.

God’s revelation (what he makes known) consists of natural and special revelation.  "Natural" refers to what can be known from creation and human conscience, and "Special" refers to what can be known through Christ and the Scriptures.

In Deuteronomy 29:29, Moses told the Israelites, "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."

Moses spoke those words in the plains of Moab as the Israelites prepared to enter the promised land.  Once they entered the promised land, they were to take the words of the law with them and keep them.  They were to live a covenant life of true worship and obedience.  The nations and neighboring peoples would bear witness to the people of God worshiping the true and living God.

The Israelites knew what God expected of them because he had revealed things to them.  Moses was the mediator of many laws, but even before that work of mediation, the Lord had spoken the Ten Commandments to the nation which had gathered at the base of Mount Sinai.  These many laws were "The things that are revealed."  God’s commandments now belonged to the Israelites as laws which were to be kept, taught, passed on, enforced, and trusted.

Some things the Israelites didn't know. There are, and always will be, "secret things” that "belong to the LORD our God" alone. We don’t know everything that happens or why things happen.  Our ignorance about things is limited; God’s understanding is complete.  He is never in the dark about anything.  While we may be confused, God is never baffled by mystery.  His knowledge is exact, comprehensive, and absolute.

The claim in Deuteronomy 29:29 is a truth that should humble us.  While we can know what God has made known, we do not know all that God knows.  We will never have the mind and full thoughts of the incomprehensible God.  After all, how could we?  We are creatures made by this great God.

Our inability to grasp the fullness of divine knowledge, however, does not diminish the importance of what we do know.  What God has revealed now belongs to us, so that we might faithfully steward and teach it.  In Deuteronomy 29:29, the initial significance of "The things that are revealed" is tied to the Torah laws, though that revelation is situated within the context of patriarchal promises, a redemption from Egypt, preservation through the wilderness, and the anticipation of conquest.

Over the course of the two Testaments, more revelation is given.  In fact, we see the glorious person and work of Christ as the climax of God’s redemptive Story. These "Things that are revealed" include not only laws but also the gospel, the good news of Christ’s humble birth, sinless life, substitutionary death, victorious resurrection, triumphant ascension, cosmic lordship, and sure return.  This news has been revealed and belongs to us and to the generations to come.

The gospel is not among the "Secret things" that are known only to God.  The redemptive work of Christ is among the "Things that are revealed" and should be proclaimed among the nations.