Deuteronomy 29

I believe Helen has explained it better than I could. I would only add Deuteronomy 5:29 into the mix. How is this verse compared to 29:4? Scripture cannot contradict...

Deuteronomy 5:29 If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commands, so that they and their children will prosper forever.

 

I think there could be a couple ways of looking at that verse. You have the calvinist's view...which was discussed prior.

The verse structure could also be stated as a question. Have I not given you a ....? The Hebrew starts of with "Jehovah not given you...". This is a possibility.

I believe what God was saying has to be compared to Scripture. I gave a reference from the same book that would imply the Israelites indeed did have a mind to understand, eyes to see, etc. Deuteronomy 5:29 is foolishness given the calvinist meaning of the verse. Is God bipolar? How can He say a few chapters earlier in essence "If only they had...", if He were the one to not give them this in the first place? Makes absolutely no sense, is confusing. God is not the author of confusion.

 

Possible translation: It can't mean what it plainly says, because that would contradict my stand on soteriology, which is the higher standard.

 

Like 2 Peter 3:9?

 

Possible translation...but wrong. I gave my view in light of 5:29. What is yours?