Deuteronomy 5 Explained
And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
(I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to shew you the word of the Lord: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,
I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.
Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
Neither shalt thou steal.
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
And ye said, Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.
Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die.
For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?
Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.
And the Lord heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the Lord said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Go say to them, Get you into your tents again.
But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.
Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.
Deuteronomy 5 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Deuteronomy, serving as a powerful reminder of God's covenant with Israel and a call to renewed obedience. After briefly summarizing Israel’s history since their departure from Egypt, Moses begins to expound upon the covenant obligations that Israel owed the Lord. This extended section, spanning Deuteronomy 4:44–26:19, sees Moses reviewing God's laws and commands for a new generation. He emphasizes the importance of learning and diligently following these statutes and ordinances, stressing that they are not mere suggestions but vital components of their covenant relationship with God (Deuteronomy 5:1-2). Notice the imperatives: Learn and follow.
It's crucial to remember that Bible study, while good and necessary, is only the first step. Acquiring intellectual knowledge is insufficient. Just as a football team needs to put its understanding of the rules into practice to win, so too must we translate our knowledge of God's Word into action.
The Covenant Applies to You
Moses makes a striking statement in Deuteronomy 5:3: "The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with all of us who are alive here today." This might seem contradictory, as God indeed made the covenant with the previous generation at Sinai (Horeb), as Moses himself stated earlier (Deuteronomy 4:10-14, 45; 5:2). However, this is a rhetorical device. Moses is emphasizing that this covenant isn't just something inherited from their ancestors; it directly applies to them, the current generation. "This isn’t merely your father’s covenant I’m talking about; this is your covenant," Moses is effectively saying. "Your fathers are gone; now you are God’s covenant partners. He expects obedience from you.” When God spoke with the previous generation of Israelites from the fire on the mountain years before (Deuteronomy 5:4), he was speaking to all future generations.
The Mediator and the Redeemer
As Israel's mediator, Moses stood between the people and the Lord to receive and relay His commands (Deuteronomy 5:5). He then reiterates the core of the covenant, beginning with the powerful preamble: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you . . . out of the place of slavery" (Deuteronomy 5:6). This is a crucial point: the law was not given as a means of redemption. Israel had already been redeemed from slavery in Egypt when God gave them the law. Salvation is not earned through obedience; rather, the law provides the means for a redeemed people to express their love and gratitude to the holy God who saved them.
Deuteronomy 5:7-21 contains the Ten Commandments. For a more in-depth exploration of these foundational principles, refer to the commentary on Exodus 20:1-17.
Fear and the Need for a Mediator
The giving of the Ten Commandments was accompanied by a display of God's awesome power. The people, overwhelmed by the Lord's loud voice, the fire, cloud, and darkness on the mountain, reacted in terror (Deuteronomy 5:22-23). They had witnessed God's glory and greatness and were astonished that they had survived (Deuteronomy 5:24). However, they feared that prolonged exposure to God's presence would lead to their demise (Deuteronomy 5:25). Consequently, they implored Moses to act as their intermediary, to receive God's commands and relay them to the people. They desired a buffer, someone to stand between them and God's overwhelming presence. Promising to listen and obey, the Israelites accepted Moses as their mediator (Deuteronomy 5:27).
Obedience and the Promise of Blessing
Sadly, the Lord knew that Israel's commitment to obedience would fall short of their pronouncements. True, steadfast obedience would ultimately require the new covenant sacrifice of Jesus Christ, enabling those who trust in Him to receive new hearts capable of unwavering obedience (see Hebrews 8:7-13). Nevertheless, God graciously agreed to Moses' role as intermediary (Deuteronomy 5:30-31). Moses then urged the new generation to fulfill the promise made by their predecessors (see Deuteronomy 5:27): "Do as the LORD your God has commanded you . . . so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life in the land you will possess" (Deuteronomy 5:32-33). This highlights the connection between obedience and blessing, a recurring theme throughout Deuteronomy.
And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
The Lord made not this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive this day.
The Lord talked with you face to face in the mount out of the midst of the fire,
(I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to shew you the word of the Lord: for ye were afraid by reason of the fire, and went not up into the mount;) saying,
I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have none other gods before me.
Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters beneath the earth:
Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me,
And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments.
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee.
Six days thou shalt labour, and do all thy work:
But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thine ox, nor thine ass, nor any of thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; that thy manservant and thy maidservant may rest as well as thou.
And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Thou shalt not kill.
Neither shalt thou commit adultery.
Neither shalt thou steal.
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Neither shalt thou desire thy neighbour’s wife, neither shalt thou covet thy neighbour’s house, his field, or his manservant, or his maidservant, his ox, or his ass, or any thing that is thy neighbour’s.
These words the Lord spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.
And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
And ye said, Behold, the Lord our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth.
Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the Lord our God any more, then we shall die.
For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?
Go thou near, and hear all that the Lord our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the Lord our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.
And the Lord heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the Lord said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken.
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
Go say to them, Get you into your tents again.
But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it.
Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
Ye shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God hath commanded you, that ye may live, and that it may be well with you, and that ye may prolong your days in the land which ye shall possess.
Deuteronomy 5 is a pivotal chapter in the book of Deuteronomy, serving as a powerful reminder of God's covenant with Israel and a call to renewed obedience. After briefly summarizing Israel’s history since their departure from Egypt, Moses begins to expound upon the covenant obligations that Israel owed the Lord. This extended section, spanning Deuteronomy 4:44–26:19, sees Moses reviewing God's laws and commands for a new generation. He emphasizes the importance of learning and diligently following these statutes and ordinances, stressing that they are not mere suggestions but vital components of their covenant relationship with God (Deuteronomy 5:1-2). Notice the imperatives: Learn and follow.
It's crucial to remember that Bible study, while good and necessary, is only the first step. Acquiring intellectual knowledge is insufficient. Just as a football team needs to put its understanding of the rules into practice to win, so too must we translate our knowledge of God's Word into action.
The Covenant Applies to You
Moses makes a striking statement in Deuteronomy 5:3: "The LORD did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with all of us who are alive here today." This might seem contradictory, as God indeed made the covenant with the previous generation at Sinai (Horeb), as Moses himself stated earlier (Deuteronomy 4:10-14, 45; 5:2). However, this is a rhetorical device. Moses is emphasizing that this covenant isn't just something inherited from their ancestors; it directly applies to them, the current generation. "This isn’t merely your father’s covenant I’m talking about; this is your covenant," Moses is effectively saying. "Your fathers are gone; now you are God’s covenant partners. He expects obedience from you.” When God spoke with the previous generation of Israelites from the fire on the mountain years before (Deuteronomy 5:4), he was speaking to all future generations.
The Mediator and the Redeemer
As Israel's mediator, Moses stood between the people and the Lord to receive and relay His commands (Deuteronomy 5:5). He then reiterates the core of the covenant, beginning with the powerful preamble: "I am the LORD your God, who brought you . . . out of the place of slavery" (Deuteronomy 5:6). This is a crucial point: the law was not given as a means of redemption. Israel had already been redeemed from slavery in Egypt when God gave them the law. Salvation is not earned through obedience; rather, the law provides the means for a redeemed people to express their love and gratitude to the holy God who saved them.
Deuteronomy 5:7-21 contains the Ten Commandments. For a more in-depth exploration of these foundational principles, refer to the commentary on Exodus 20:1-17.
Fear and the Need for a Mediator
The giving of the Ten Commandments was accompanied by a display of God's awesome power. The people, overwhelmed by the Lord's loud voice, the fire, cloud, and darkness on the mountain, reacted in terror (Deuteronomy 5:22-23). They had witnessed God's glory and greatness and were astonished that they had survived (Deuteronomy 5:24). However, they feared that prolonged exposure to God's presence would lead to their demise (Deuteronomy 5:25). Consequently, they implored Moses to act as their intermediary, to receive God's commands and relay them to the people. They desired a buffer, someone to stand between them and God's overwhelming presence. Promising to listen and obey, the Israelites accepted Moses as their mediator (Deuteronomy 5:27).
Obedience and the Promise of Blessing
Sadly, the Lord knew that Israel's commitment to obedience would fall short of their pronouncements. True, steadfast obedience would ultimately require the new covenant sacrifice of Jesus Christ, enabling those who trust in Him to receive new hearts capable of unwavering obedience (see Hebrews 8:7-13). Nevertheless, God graciously agreed to Moses' role as intermediary (Deuteronomy 5:30-31). Moses then urged the new generation to fulfill the promise made by their predecessors (see Deuteronomy 5:27): "Do as the LORD your God has commanded you . . . so that you may live, prosper, and have a long life in the land you will possess" (Deuteronomy 5:32-33). This highlights the connection between obedience and blessing, a recurring theme throughout Deuteronomy.