Deuteronomy 29:29  The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Dt 29:29.

“The LORD our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions. 

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Dt 29:29.

—

Nunya is a word I learned many years ago. Pursuing a line of questioning on a particular matter, I came to a point where the person I was learning from grew irritated. His response to my question was “Nunya.” 

“Nunya?” I responded.

“Nunya,” he repeated. “It’s nunya business.”

Message received. 

There are some people who are not content to know what they are supposed to know and to do what they are supposed to do. Some people want to sit in council with God as an advisor. Or they will tell you how God has brought them into an exclusive relationship where he tells them deep truths he would never tell you. 

Beware of such people. 

Knowing God with increasing closeness does not make an individual more exclusive, but more inclusive. Knowing God with increasing depth makes a person more generous and inviting. The better we know God, the better we make him known. Our Father in heaven does not tell us secrets. He speaks truth through what he has revealed already for us to live and to help others live. 

God’s secrets Moses speaks about here are those things only God needs to know. They are those things only God knows. You and I do not, and indeed cannot, know some things God knows. This is fine and dandy. We need to know and understand what God has said and how he expects us to live in response. 

The pursuit of God’s secret secrets is a fruitless exercise. The pursuit of understanding what he has told us and the alignment and attunement of our lives with his instructions builds a better world. It spreads his kingdom rule which is the most blessed estate we can experience on this side of the eternal divide. 

Moses’ bottom line in Deuteronomy 29 is clear. 

1. Listen to what God says.
2. Do what God says.
3. Live generously with everything God entrusts to you.
4. Do not concern yourself with matters you cannot know.

Some people will never settle for Deuteronomy 29:29. They will forever ponder the imponderable. For some, this is good and noble. For others, it is manipulative and dangerous. Maybe we should join Chris Rice in saving up questions for heaven. [https://bit.ly/3IqTf3i]

—

I will save up questions for heaven and I will live the truth I know.

—

Our Father, why is it people tend to trip over your clear instructions as they pursue secret secrets only you can know? Why do they insist on going beyond scientific inquiry into the knowable world you have created into mysticism and alchemy? Are they still seeking the special knowledge the evil one offered Adam and Eve in the garden? Are they still making the same mistakes? Are they still living with the consequences of missing the blessings you give in hopes of exchanging them for becoming like you? Am I? I want to know you, to experience you, to obey you, and to live the flourishing life you promise so that others may know and experience your bountiful goodness as well.