Deuteronomy 29:1-6 -

Witnessing without seeing.

There is an instructive note on this passage in Dr. Jameson's 'Commentary.' For nearly forty years the people had been witnesses of the extraordinary care of God in watching over them, in supplying their wants, and in conducting them through the wilderness; and yet the constant succession of mercies had had no proper effect on them. They did not read the loving-kindness of God in all as they should have done. Having eyes, they saw not; having ears, they heard not. The form, however, in which Moses here throws this is remarkable. If his words are not understood, he may seem even to cast a reflection on God, for having given them such great mercies, while at the same time he withheld the one mercy which would make blessings of all the rest. Yet we cannot for a moment think that Moses intended anything of the kind. He evidently reproaches the people for their dullness. If there had been an earnest desire to understand the deep meaning of God's dealings with them, certainly the needful light and wisdom would not have been withheld. Our subject of thought arising hence is—Spiritual stolidity ; or , witnessing without seeing . The following passages of Scripture should be studied in regard to this theme:— Isaiah 6:9 , Isaiah 6:10 ; Isaiah 63:9 , Isaiah 63:10 , Isaiah 63:17 ; Jeremiah 5:21 ; Ezekiel 12:2 ; Ezekiel 14:1-23 .; Matthew 11:25 ; Matthew 12:24 ; Matthew 13:14 , Matthew 13:15 ; Matthew 15:16 ; Matthew 16:9 ; Matthew 21:27 ; Mark 3:5 (Greek); Mark 5:23 ; Mark 6:52 ; Mark 8:10-13 , Mark 8:21 ; Luke 7:29-35 ; Luke 12:56 , Luke 12:57 ; Luke 19:42 ; John 4:33 ; John 7:17 ; John 8:31 , John 8:32 , John 8:47 ; John 9:39-41 ; John 14:9 , John 14:22 ; 1 Corinthians 2:14 ; 2 Corinthians 3:14 , 2 Corinthians 3:15 ; Psalms 25:14 . Observe—

I. THERE IS A MEANING , RICH AND FULL , IN THE INCIDENTS OF LIFE . Each one's life is full of incident, from morning till evening, from the beginning of the year unto the end of it. There may not have been the succession of what is startling and striking, as there was in the case of Israel, but simply common mercies coming speedily and without pause, just as they were needed; the mercies one by one, fitting exactly into place, as if a gracious care had provided all. As if— do we say? That is it. A gracious care has provided all. That is precisely our present postulate. We should as soon think that the letters in a printing office would spontaneously arrange themselves into order for a printed book, as that the constant succession of our comforts in life should come as they do without any prearrangement.

1. Life's comforts and supplies are a constant disclosure of Divine loving-kindness. They reveal God (Psalm evil. 43).

2. They are intended to help on the culture and growth of character. Even supplies which come in the physical region, when granted to moral beings, have a moral significance in them.

3. By winning us to God, his mercies are intended to lead us to repentance, and thus to open up to us a glorious goal in character and destiny.

II. THIS DIVINE MEANING IN THE MERCIES OF LIFE IS OFTEN MISSED BY THOSE ON WHOM THOSE MERCIES ARE BESTOWED . Of how many it may still he said, "Having eyes, they see not; and having ears, they hear not!" This may arise from one or more of several causes.

1. There may be some preconceived assumption or foregone conclusion which, if indulged in, will shut out all acceptance of any thought of God's loving-kindness in common life, or anywhere else. Some "high thought" may exalt itself against the knowledge of God.

2. There may be the lack of a spirit of loyalty, so that the individual is indisposed to read aright the messages of his Father's goodness.

3. There may be a misuse or non-use of the organs and faculties by which spiritual knowledge may be acquired. See 'Candid Examination of Theism,' by Physicus, which is a striking example of total failure in this respect.

4. There may be distraction of heart and soul by the whirl and rush of life, so that the spirit has no leisure therefrom to learn of God in "secret silence of the mind."

5. There may be entire indifference concerning the higher meaning of common things. Any one of these five causes will amply account for a man failing to learn of God through the experiences of life.

III. THERE IS NO ADEQUATE REASON WHICH CAN JUSTIFY SUCH A FAILURE TO LEARN LIFE 'S LESSONS . For:

1. We have a revelation of God given to us in the Book, whereby we may come at the true interpretation of life. Israel had their Law, by which they might read their life. We have both the Law and the gospel. And the preciousness of human life in the eye of God is taught us in Luke 15:1-32 ; and in the light of such a chapter should the mystery of human life and Divine care be studied.

2. We have a distinct disclosure to us of the one condition on which religions knowledge and certitude can be acquired ( John 7:17 ; Psalms 25:8 , Psalms 25:9 , Psalms 25:14 ).

3. There is a direct and clear promise of wisdom to those who lack it and seek it ( James 1:5-7 ). The promises given by our Lord are also abundant.

4. There is the testimony of the experience of such as are taught of God. They can tell of his mercies, and sing aloud of his righteousness ( Psalms 34:6 ; Psalms 66:16 ). And such experience is or should be an invaluable help to those who have yet to learn "the secret of the Lord." Now, with this fourfold clue, it is altogether needless for any to misunderstand life's mystery and meaning. So that it follows—

IV. THAT TO BE AND TO REMAIN WITHOUT SPIRITUAL PERCEPTION IS MATTER FOR SERIOUS REPROACH AND REBUKE . It is not against God that the words of Luke 15:4 are spoken. He would have given them eyes to see, had they desired and sought that blessing. And so he will now. Hence there is a fivefold injustice done by us if we remain without the true knowledge of the rich meaning in our mercies.

1. There is injustice to the Word of God.

2. There is injustice to the God of the Word.

3. There is injustice to ourselves.

4. There is injustice to the mystery of life.

5. There is injury to our future and eternal destiny.

Well may we adopt for ourselves, on our own behalf, as well as on that of others, the prayers of the apostle for spiritual enlightenment ( Philippians 1:9-11 ; Colossians 1:9 , Colossians 1:10 ; Ephesians 1:15-18 ). For as we understand the mystery of God in Christ will all minor ones have the light of heaven poured upon them.