Deuteronomy 32:7Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The God who loves humanity grants wisdom and understanding (Psalm 93:10). For those seeking guidance in divine truths, He instructs through Moses, stating, "Ask thy father, and he will tell thee; ask thy elders, and they will tell thee." Therefore, it is imperative for us, entrusted with the ministry of the Word, to allow those who approach us to inquire privately whenever they wish. It is essential for you not to leave anything unexamined or overlooked. In addition to what you teach publicly, engage in private discussions about what is spiritually enriching, and utilize every moment of your life for growth. If God has assembled us for this purpose and granted us tranquility from outside upheavals, we should refrain from engaging in other matters.

"Recall the times of eternity." Since the days of Adam, the Lord "established the limits of nations based on the number of the children of Israel."

Reflect on the grace that your God has granted to the faithful throughout the ages and the joyful conclusion with which He has comforted them, as well as the harsh judgments He enforced upon the unrighteous, revealing how detestable and loathsome their ends were.

One of the responsibilities of a priest is to provide answers to those who inquire about the commandments.

Christ Himself reached out to Paul, speaking to him directly. While He had the ability to instantly restore Paul's sight and lead him to spiritual completeness, He instead directed Paul to Ananias, instructing him to seek the path of truth with these words: ‘Arise, enter into the city, and there it shall be said unto thee what thou oughtest to do’ (cf. Acts 9:6). This serves as a lesson for us to heed the guidance of those who are more experienced in faith. However, let Paul's admirable example never serve as an excuse for the inexperienced to disregard the wisdom of others, wishing to be led to truth directly by God rather than through the teachings of the Church.

Question: When I feel inclined to take actions that seem righteous, such as practicing self-discipline, choosing to be silent, or performing acts of kindness, should I proceed independently or seek the counsel of spiritual mentors? Response: If an individual neglects to consult their spiritual mentors about a seemingly good deed, the repercussions may be detrimental, and that person risks violating the instruction that states, 'Do nothing without judgment' (Sir 32:21) and also, 'Ask your father, and he will inform you; your elders, and they will guide you.'

Abba Anthony remarked that he had encountered monks who, after enduring considerable toil, experienced a breakdown and were overwhelmed in their thoughts. This happened because they placed their confidence in their own efforts as being acceptable to God and misinterpreted the command of the One who instructed, ‘Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders will tell you, and they will say to you.’

He highlights how He rescued them from Egypt and freed them from Pharaoh's oppression, guiding them safely through the Red Sea. Have you not perceived that the Lord your God has conquered death in these latter days? ‘Inquire of your father, and he will inform you; your elders will recount all the marvelous deeds of the Lord God.’ With these statements, he suggests that in the final days, you will seek wisdom from an elder named Peter regarding His resurrection - ‘When he bent down, he only saw the linen cloths there’ (Luke 24:12) - thus affirming the truth of the divine resurrection.