MERCIFUL FOREKNOWLEDGE

Deuteronomy 5:29 -
God says, "Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!"

Here is the desire of God for their genuine obedience and devotion to Him so that it might go well with them. God hears their words of commitment but knows the deceitfulness of their hearts. And even though He knows the end (just as Christ knew He would raise Lazarus and yet wept anyway) this does not leave God cold and academic. He has feelings! He does! There is a passion in this verse. A passion for His people to have the best - which is to obey Him and know Him and be satisfied forever with Him. God knows their hearts and yet prepares the best for them. The land of Canaan will be prepared for them before they enter in. Chapter 6 says they will enter a land that already has houses, cities, vineyards, and olive trees. It reminds me of John 14 where Jesus tells His disciples that He goes to prepare a place for them in heaven.

What mercy and grace. He knows their stubborn natures the past 40 years in the wilderness and He knows their future disobedience and idolatry, and yet...He pours out blessing.