1. They had seen it.

“Both former mercies, and fresh mercies, should be thought on by us as motives to obedience. The hearing ear, and seeing eye, and the understanding heart, are the gift of God. All that have them, have them from him.” (Matthew Henry Commentary from Deut. 29:1-9 https://biblehub.com/commentaries/deuteronomy/29-3.htm)

2. A heart to understand.

3. Eyes to see.

4. Ears to hear.

“A person with a disobedient heart draws the curtains of his soul until he sees no light; an obedient-hearted person opens up the windows of his soul and is awed by the greatness of God.” (The Preacher’s Commentary, Maxwell, 293).

Sermon Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think God didn't allow them to understand these things? What other Scriptures point to God's omniscience?

2. List the things the Israelites had seen and experienced. What one sticks out to you as most memorable?

3. What other Bible stories share this similar concept of not understanding, not seeing, and not hearing? Why did those things happen that way in those stories, and is there a correlation to the Israelites?

4. Is there an area you currently want to understand, hear, or see that you would be willing to share with the group so they might pray with you for this understanding?

5. Why weren't other senses talked about, and would that have made a difference?

6. How could the Israelites prosper, and how might we?