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.
The secret things belong unto the Lord. This verse has no apparent connection with the thread of discourse; and it is thought to have been said in answer to the looks of astonishment or the words of inquiry, whether the people would be ever so wicked as to deserve such punishments, or the institutions which God had established among them ever be withdrawn or subverted.
The words `ad (H5704) `owlaam (H5769) have not the extensive meaning which the Jews have always been fond of attaching to them. `Owlaam (H5769) is frequently used in a limited sense (cf. Exodus 21:6; 1 Samuel 1:22; 1 Samuel 1:28). Maimonides, and other Jewish writers answer that `owlaam (H5769) by itself may not signify eternity; yet, when preceded by `ad (H5704), unto, until, it denotes eternal duration in the most absolute sense, continuance of time admitting no end; and, in support of this assertion, appeal to Psalms 19:9, "The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever." The passage is irrelevant, because it refers to the moral, not the political the Lord is clean, enduring forever." The passage is irrelevant, because it refers to the moral, not the political nor ritual law.
The true meaning of the expressions was to distinguish the observances which were to be contiuued when the nation was settled in Canaan from the temporary enactments which had respect to their shifting condition before they reached it. Having served their purpose, however, they have ceased with the dispensation to which they belonged: though called "an everlasting covenant," "an ordinance forever," it was only "throughout their generations" The recorded history of God's providential dealings towards Israel presents a wonderful combination of goodness and severity." There is much of it involved in mystery too profound for our limited capacities to fathom; but, from the comprehensive wisdom displayed in those parts which have been made known to us, we are prepared to enter into the full spirit of the apostle's exclamation, "How unsearchable are His judgments!" (Romans 11:33.)