Deuteronomy 29:2-17
All Israel was gathered together to hear the words of the covenant. The power and love of the LORD had worked great miracles for her. The people saw them (v. 2) but not with the eyes of the heart (v. 4; Ephesians 1:18). The miracles accomplished for her benefit had no moral effect on her conscience. It was the same during the time when the Lord Jesus was on the earth. "Many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them . . . " (John 2:23-24). We also run the risk of resembling them every time that we are satisfied with just an intellectual knowledge of the truth.
However v. 4 confirms that God had not given Israel ears to hear until that day. Was it therefore the latter’s fault if she had not listened? Indeed it was! The apostle Paul holds those people responsible for having closed their ears of their free will for fear of hearing and being converted (Acts 28:27-28). "Be it known," he continues, "that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it." The Lord desires that this is not in vain and that none of us harden our hearts today upon hearing His voice (Hebrews 3:7-8; Hebrews 3:15; Hebrews 4:7). Note the frequent repetition of that word "today" throughout the final chapters of this book.