Deuteronomy 5

Deuteronomy 5:1

II. MOSES’ SECOND DISCOURSEPURITY IN THE LAND (Chaps. 528) A. Review of the Sinai Covenant (Chap. 5)5:1-6 Chapter 5 reviews the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai (Horeb). In verse 3, supply the word “only” after “fathers.” The covenant was made with the fathers, but it was intended for future generations of Israelites as well. 5:7-21 The Ten Commandments1. No other gods were to be worshiped (v. 7). 2. No carved image was to be made or worshiped (vv.8-10). This commandment does not repeat the first. People might worship mythical beings, or the sun and moon, without the use of idols. Children who thus hate God will suffer the same punishment as their fathers (v. 9). 3. The name of the LORD was not to be taken in vain (v. 11). 4. The Sabbath was to be kept holy (vv. 12-15). A different reason for keeping the Sabbath is given here from the one given in Exo_20:8-11 (God’s rest in creation). The Jews were to remember that they were slaves in Egypt (v. 15). These two reasons are complementary, not contradictory. 5. Parents were to be honored (v. 16). 6. Murder was prohibited (v. 17). 7. Adultery was prohibited (v. 18). 8. Stealing was prohibited (v. 19). 9. Bearing false witness against a neighbor was prohibited (v. 20). 10. Coveting was prohibited (v. 21). 5:22 J. A. Thompson comments on this verse: The expression and He added no more is unusual and may indicate that these commandments were such a complete summary of the fundamental requirements of the covenant that no other law needed to be added. All other law was a mere interpretation and expansion of these basic principles. Alternatively, the expression may refer to a particular occasion when the Lord made known precisely these ten laws. Other laws must have been given on other occasions, since the total volume of law known in Israel and originating from God was considerable. 5:23-33 When the law was given, the people were terrified by the manifestations of the divine Presence and feared for their lives. They sent Moses to speak to the Lord and to assure Him that they would do whatever He said. (They did not realize their own sinfulness and powerlessness when they made such a rash vow.) Consequently the rest of the laws and ordinances were given through Moses the mediator. The Ten Words or Ten Commandments appear to have been spoken verbally to the whole nation when they were at Mount Sinai (vv. 30, 31). In verse 28, the LORD is not commending them for their promise to keep the law, but rather for their expressions of fear and awe (compare Deu_18:16-18). God knew that they did not have a heart to keep His commandments. He wished that they did, so that He could bless them abundantly (vv. 28-33).