They have not known. Compare note on Romans 9:32. Because of their ignorance of Truth, their attitude and their motives were wrong. They tried to obligate God to save them. Their own way. They were actually guilty of substitution. See notes on Matthew 7:21-23; Mark 7:7-8. They set up the merit of their own experience and actions, and said: "Now, God, you are obligated to save me." So they did not submit. This says that they could have done so, but did not. It is a paradox that only as we see we have no merit, can we submit to God and live our lives as a living sacrifice.

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Old Testament