Deuteronomy 5

Deuteronomy 5 recounts Moses restating the Ten Commandments to the Israelites before entering the Promised Land. This chapter emphasizes the covenant relationship between God and Israel, reminding them of their responsibilities under His law. Moses highlights the significance of obedience to these commands, which form the foundation of Israel's identity as God's chosen people.

Deuteronomy 5:1-3 (NKJV)
1 And Moses called all Israel, and said to them: “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your hearing today, that you may learn them and be careful to observe them.
2 The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
3 The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive.

Moses gathers the Israelites to remind them of God's covenant made at Mount Horeb (Sinai). He emphasizes that this covenant is not just a historical event but is relevant to them in the present. The people of Israel must actively listen, learn, and obey the commandments. Though the covenant was made with their ancestors, it binds the current generation, holding them accountable to its terms.

Deuteronomy 5:4-5 (NKJV)
4 The Lord talked with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire.
5 I stood between the Lord and you at that time, to declare to you the word of the Lord; for you were afraid because of the fire, and you did not go up the mountain.

Moses recalls the direct encounter between God and Israel at Mount Sinai. The imagery of fire represents God's power and holiness, which caused fear among the people. Moses acted as a mediator, communicating God’s words to the people because they were too afraid to approach the mountain. This underscores the importance of Moses' role as a leader and prophet.

Deuteronomy 5:6 (NKJV)
6 I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

God introduces Himself by reminding the Israelites of His deliverance from slavery in Egypt. This sets the foundation for the commandments that follow, as their obedience is rooted in recognizing God as their Redeemer. By freeing them from bondage, God establishes His authority over their lives, requiring their loyalty and worship.

Deuteronomy 5:7 (NKJV)
7 You shall have no other gods before Me.

This is the first commandment, emphasizing the exclusivity of worship to God. The Israelites are prohibited from acknowledging or serving any other gods. In a polytheistic world, this command reinforces monotheism, demanding complete allegiance to the one true God who saved them from Egypt.

Deuteronomy 5:8-10 (NKJV)
8 You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
10 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

God forbids the making and worshipping of idols, warning that such acts provoke His jealousy. Idolatry is seen as spiritual betrayal, and the consequences of sin can affect multiple generations. However, God promises mercy to those who love Him and remain faithful to His commandments. This contrast between judgment and mercy highlights God’s justice and grace.

Deuteronomy 5:11 (NKJV)
11 You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

This commandment emphasizes the reverence due to God's name, prohibiting its misuse or trivialization. Taking God’s name in vain involves using it carelessly, deceitfully, or disrespectfully. The warning of guilt underscores the seriousness of honoring God's name in all speech and actions, as it reflects one’s relationship with Him.

Deuteronomy 5:12-15 (NKJV)
12 Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you.
13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
14 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.
15 And remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm; therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

The Sabbath commandment instructs the Israelites to rest on the seventh day as a sign of their covenant with God. This rest is not just for them, but for their families, servants, and even animals. By resting, they acknowledge God’s act of creation and redemption. The reminder of their past slavery in Egypt adds a special meaning to the Sabbath, associating it with freedom and divine deliverance.

Deuteronomy 5:16 (NKJV)
16 Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may be well with you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you.

This commandment emphasizes the importance of respecting and caring for one’s parents. Honoring parents is tied to the promise of long life and prosperity in the land God gives them. This principle establishes the foundation for social harmony, as honoring authority in the family reflects one’s obedience to God’s authority.

Deuteronomy 5:17 (NKJV)
17 You shall not murder.

The prohibition against murder underscores the sanctity of human life. Life is a gift from God, and taking it unjustly is a direct violation of His command. By forbidding murder, God establishes a moral boundary that protects individuals from violence and maintains justice and respect for human dignity within the community.

Deuteronomy 5:18 (NKJV)
18 You shall not commit adultery.

This command protects the sanctity of marriage. Adultery is not only a sin against one’s spouse but also an offense against God. Faithfulness within marriage reflects the covenant relationship between God and His people, requiring purity and loyalty in relationships.

Deuteronomy 5:19 (NKJV)
19 You shall not steal.

The command against theft protects personal property and promotes trust within the community. By forbidding stealing, God ensures that His people respect the possessions and rights of others, fostering an environment of justice and mutual respect.

Deuteronomy 5:20 (NKJV)
20 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

This command focuses on truthfulness and integrity, particularly in legal matters. Bearing false witness undermines justice and can cause harm to others. God calls His people to be honest in their dealings, ensuring that truth prevails in all areas of life.

Deuteronomy 5:21 (NKJV)
21 You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.

Coveting is an internal sin that leads to many outward offenses. God warns against the desire for things that belong to others, as such desires can lead to theft, adultery, and other wrongs. This commandment focuses on contentment and trust in God’s provision, preventing greed from disrupting relationships.

Deuteronomy 5:22 (NKJV)
22 These words the Lord spoke to all your assembly, in the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud, and the thick darkness, with a loud voice; and He added no more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

Moses recounts how God delivered the Ten Commandments directly to the people amidst awe-inspiring manifestations of His presence. The commandments were spoken with divine authority and written on stone tablets to signify their permanence. This emphasizes the importance and solemnity of God’s law.

Deuteronomy 5:23-27 (NKJV)
23 So it was, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, that you came near to me, all the heads of your tribes and your elders.
24 And you said: ‘Surely the Lord our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives.
25 Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore, then we shall die.
26 For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?
27 You go near and hear all that the Lord our God may say, and tell us all that the Lord our God says to you, and we will hear and do it.’

The Israelites were overwhelmed by God’s awesome presence and voice at Mount Sinai. Fearing for their lives, they asked Moses to act as their mediator, agreeing to obey whatever God commanded through him. Their response reflects both reverence and fear, recognizing the holiness and power of God.

Deuteronomy 5:28-29 (NKJV)
28 Then the Lord heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me, and the Lord said to me: ‘I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken.
29 Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!’

God acknowledges the people's response and agrees that their words reflect a correct understanding of His majesty and holiness. However, He desires that this awe would translate into a lifelong obedience to His commandments. If the Israelites would keep God’s laws from the heart, they and their descendants would experience lasting blessings and well-being.

Deuteronomy 5:30-31 (NKJV)
30 Go and say to them, “Return to your tents.”
31 But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will speak to you all the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments which you shall teach them, that they may observe them in the land which I am giving them to possess.’

God instructs Moses to send the people back to their tents, indicating that He would communicate further instructions directly to Moses. These commandments were to be taught to the people so they could faithfully follow them when they entered the Promised Land. Moses’ role as the teacher of God’s law is highlighted here, emphasizing the importance of leadership in guiding the people.

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 (NKJV)
32 Therefore you shall be careful to do as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
33 You shall walk in all the ways which the Lord your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.

Moses concludes this chapter with a call to obedience. The Israelites are to follow God's commands precisely, without deviation. Walking in God's ways ensures life, prosperity, and longevity in the land He promised them. This passage stresses that following God's instructions is not merely a matter of ritual but is essential for their survival and success in the Promised Land.