YEAR 2, WEEK 21, Day 3, Wednesday, 21 May 2025

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Deuteronomy+29

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Wednesday, 21 May 2025:

Deuteronomy 29:1 – “These are the words of the covenant that the LORD commanded Moses to make with the people of Israel in the land of Moab…”

Deuteronomy 29 functions like a spiritual renewal ceremony. Though Israel had already entered into covenant with God at Mount Sinai, this chapter reaffirms that commitment for a new generation standing on the threshold of the Promised Land. It’s not a new covenant, but a solemn reminder and personal charge: “Don’t just inherit the covenant—own it. Don’t just hear the Law—walk in it.”

God, through Moses, is drawing a clear line in the sand. The blessings and curses described in chapter 28 are not theoretical—they are attached to the everyday choices of real people. Every Israelite, from the tribal leaders to the woodcutters and water-drawers, is personally accountable.

Deuteronomy 29:2-3 – “You have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes… the great trials… the signs, and those great wonders. But to this day the LORD has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear.”

What a striking and sobering statement. Miracles do not guarantee maturity. Israel saw the Red Sea split, Egypt humbled, and manna fall from heaven. But they still didn’t have understanding hearts. Their problem wasn’t evidence—it was spiritual dullness. Obedience requires revelation, and revelation requires a humble, teachable heart. We must not be content to see God’s works and remain unchanged. Pray for spiritual perception, not just historical awareness. Ask God to soften your heart, open your ears, and stir your obedience.

• 1 Corinthians 2:14 – “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God… they are spiritually discerned.”
• Isaiah 6:9-10 – “Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes…”
• Ephesians 1:18 – “Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you…”

Deuteronomy 29:9 – “Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.”

Prosperity in Scripture is always tied to obedient alignment with God’s will, not the pursuit of personal comfort or success. God isn’t promising Israel an easy life, but a fruitful and meaningful one—rooted in relationship and responsibility.

• Joshua 1:8 – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth… for then you will make your way prosperous.”
• Psalm 1:1-3 – “… in all that he does, he prospers.”
• James 1:25 – “… being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

Deuteronomy 29:10-15 – “… you are standing today… all of you… so that you may enter into the sworn covenant of the LORD your God…”

This covenant was not just for that generation, but “for those who are standing here with us today…and with whoever is not here with us today” (v.15). That includes their children, grandchildren, and the exiles who would one day return.

Faithfulness is generational. Your obedience today affects lives you may never see. Every parent, every leader, every church member must grasp this: we’re not just living for today. We’re leaving a spiritual legacy.

• Psalm 78:6-7 – “…that the next generation might know… so that they should set their hope in God….”
• 2 Timothy 2:2 – “…what you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

Deuteronomy 29:18-20 – “Beware lest there be among you… one who, when he hears the words of this sworn covenant, blesses himself in his heart, saying, ‘I shall be safe, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart.’”

This is one of the most dangerous lies a person can believe: that they can live in willful disobedience and still claim the promises of God. This is spiritual deception at its worst. It is a life that assumes grace without repentance, mercy without surrender. God calls it what it is: rebellion. We cannot separate belief from behavior. A saving relationship with God is evidenced by submission to His Word and transformation of life. Any other path is self-delusion.

• Romans 6:1-2 – “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!”
• Hebrews 10:26-27 – “If we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins…”
• Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked…”

Deuteronomy 29:25 – “Then people will say, ‘It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD, the God of their fathers…”

God will reveal Himself to the world through your life either in a positive way as you obey Him or in a negative way as you disobey Him. God saves through grace, not because of our deeds; however, God holds us accountable to obedience on earth and will not be mocked. We are called to be Ambassadors of Christ on earth and demonstrate His will and authority to others. He will not tolerate someone misrepresenting Him before the world.

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

Many people spend much time, energy, and effort worrying about what God’s word doesn’t explicitly tell us rather than focusing on merely obeying God’s unambiguous commands. Much worry over mysteries is often an excuse for failing to simply submit. As the old hymn says, “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. But we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the alter we lay; for the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows are for them who will trust and obey.”

Have you ever prayed to God to tell you what to do in a particular situation only to hear no clear response? Have you ever asked God to reveal to you what He was doing in your life only to get no clear response? Have you ever asked, “God, what do you want me to do?” What do you do when He doesn’t provide a specific answer?

When you are unsure of what specifically God wants you to do, continue in what God has clearly told you to do through His written word; remain in God’s word and in prayer; seek godly counsel from respected Christians, and make the best decision you can. Perhaps the big decision you are struggling over doesn’t really matter so much – God will take you where you need to go in either direction. Also, since God’s goal is developing in you Christlike character, He will intentionally give you the chance to choose what you think best – if He told you everything to do, you would never grow in decisive character.

There is much God doesn’t intend to reveal to us for His purposes, but there is so much, much more that He has already revealed in the Bible by which He intends for us to live. When we are faithful with the little things, He will give us more. Most of the real issues of life aren’t about whether you took job A or job B but rather how faithful you were to God wherever you ended up. Often our quest for answers is the product of a desire to live by sight and not by faith. We want God to tell us exactly what He is doing because, really, we don’t trust Him. We like to be in control, and we don’t like the uncertainty that comes with not really believing God is in complete control.

Faith, Hope, and Love — Faith is believing, trusting, and obeying God now; and hope is trusting God in the Future. Faith and Hope are the product and proof of love. Will you remain faithfully obedient and joyful during God’s silence? Isn’t it true that during exams the teacher remains silent? Can you walk one day at a time responding faithfully to whatever God places in front of you? When there are no apparent answers, will you hold fast to Him? Finally, it is not where God is taking you that matters most, it is the journey along the way. God’s purpose for you is not some big accomplishment in the future, it is oneness with Him right now. If your only goal and pursuit is to be one with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, you are accomplishing your life purpose.

-Ecclesiastes 12:13 — The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

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

This is one of the most profound theological truths in the Old Testament. There are mysteries we’ll never fully understand—God’s sovereign purposes, hidden works, eternal designs. But we are not accountable for what God has not revealed. We are accountable for what He has revealed. This verse calls us to humble worship and faithful obedience. Don’t wait until you have every answer to obey. Live faithfully with what God has already shown you.

Takeaways and Lessons from Deuteronomy 29:

• Obedience is generational. Your faithfulness affects others—family, community, even future generations.
• Heart transformation is essential. It’s not enough to witness miracles—you need ears to hear and a heart to obey.
• Spiritual arrogance is deadly. Don’t think you can walk in sin and still walk in blessing.
• God’s Word is enough. You are not called to understand everything, only to trust and obey what He has revealed.

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 21 May 2025: Generational Covenant: Today, reflect on how your walk with God is influencing those around you and those coming after you. Parents—what legacy are you leaving? Leaders—what example are you setting? Pray for a soft heart (v.4), a sober mind (v.18), and a generational vision (v.14). Then, write down one step of obedience God is calling you to today and act on it immediately.