The Secret and Revealed Will of God
1. The Foundation in Deuteronomy 29:29Deuteronomy 29:29 distinguishes between two realms of God’s will:
The Secret Things — God’s sovereign, eternal decree, hidden in His own counsel (Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11).
The Things Revealed — God’s moral will, made known in His Word for obedience.
This verse frames the tension that runs throughout Scripture: God is incomprehensible in His essence (Job 11:7–9), yet He is knowable through His self-revelation (Ps. 19:7–11; 2 Tim. 3:16–17).
2. Hidden Purposes in the Old Testament
Creation & the Fall (Genesis 1–3) Adam and Eve were not told why God allowed the serpent into the garden. The test of the tree’s fruit was a revealed command, but God’s deeper purposes remained secret.
Abraham (Genesis 22:1–14) Abraham was commanded to sacrifice Isaac, without knowing the full providential plan. Only later was God’s redemptive intention revealed—pointing to the ultimate Lamb.
Joseph (Genesis 50:20) Joseph could not see the meaning behind his betrayal and imprisonment until the end, when God’s sovereign good purpose was made clear.
Job (Job 1–42) The narrative reveals a heavenly council scene to the reader, but Job never hears the explanation. The lesson: trust in God’s wisdom when His ways are hidden.
Prophets (Isaiah 55:8–9; Habakkuk 1–2) God’s plans often confounded the prophets. Habakkuk wrestled with why God would use wicked Babylon to judge Judah, learning to live by faith (Hab. 2:4).
3. The Clarity of the Revealed Word
The Law & Covenant (Ex. 20; Deut. 30:11–14) God’s moral requirements were not hidden—they were “not too hard” nor “far off.”
Wisdom Literature (Ps. 119; Prov. 25:2) God delights to conceal His decrees, but delights even more to reveal His commands and promises for our holiness.
4. Christ: The Ultimate Revelation
Hidden in Ages Past, Now Revealed (Rom. 16:25–26; Col. 1:26–27) The mystery of Christ—salvation for Jew and Gentile—was hidden in the eternal counsel of God, then revealed in the incarnation.
Jesus’ Ministry (John 13:7) “What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.”
The Cross (Acts 2:23) Planned in God’s secret decree, yet carried out in history for all to see. Here the hidden and revealed wills meet in the central event of redemption.
5. The Church Age
Gospel Mystery (1 Cor. 2:7–10) God’s wisdom in the gospel was hidden from the rulers of this age, but revealed to His people by the Spirit.
Providence in Suffering (2 Cor. 4:17) We are told the result of our trials (eternal weight of glory), but not always the details of God’s immediate purposes.
6. The Final Revelation
Partial Now, Full Then (1 Cor. 13:12) We see “in a mirror dimly” now; in glory we will know fully.
Heaven’s Song (Rev. 15:3–4) In eternity, all hidden purposes will be vindicated, and all providence will be understood as perfectly just and good.
Theology in Summary
God’s Hidden Will (Decretive Will) Known only to Him, includes all that will happen in time and eternity. Immutable, irresistible, and often mysterious (Isa. 46:10; Eph. 1:11).
God’s Revealed Will (Preceptive Will) His commands, promises, and gospel truth made known to us, binding upon all people for faith and obedience (Mic. 6:8; Matt. 28:18–20).
Personal Application
Humility: We bow to the truth that some answers belong to God alone.
Trust: When we cannot trace His hand, we trust His heart (Rom. 8:28).
Obedience: Our responsibility is to walk faithfully in the light we have, not to demand the light He has chosen to keep to Himself.
Hope: The hidden purposes of today will one day be the public praises of eternity.
(The above article has been AI generated)