Moses: "Look guys, it's pretty simple. Know the Law, Obey It, and Live well and long." Israel: "But what if. . . .?"

Deuteronomy Chapter 5: The Commandments, Israel’s Response, God’s Response

Deuteronomy 5:1-33 -- The Passage and Some Thoughts

In verses 1-5, Moses tells the children of Israel about the covenant God had made with them in Horeb. Then verses 6-21 basically repeat in detail each of the commandments.

Beginning in verse 22 and going to verse 27, Moses shares Israel’s response to God’s Covenant Commandments. To me, it was not the response that Moses or God may have expected. It sounded like they had their own concern as Moses tells us in verse 25 that the children of Israel feared that if they heard God’s voice any longer, they would die since no one before them had heard the voice of the living God and lived. And they wanted Moses to see what God had to say about that (vs. 27). In my opinion, they missed the whole point. They missed what God wanted for them and they were more concerned about their fear of dying. I wonder how many times we miss the blessing of God because of our fear of dying. How many times do we fail to see the big picture because we’re more concerned about one little aspect in the corner? It all reminds me of my recruitment days when our company was offering incredible and well-paying jobs to people and all some of them could ask about was whether or not they had to wear a suit, because if they did, it would kill them. (Yes, that was decades ago but you get my point.)

And God responds (through Moses) in verses 28-33. And while God indicates that the people spoke well, He also, as I read it, sees right through them when He said, in verse 29, “Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me, and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!”

And then God tells Moses to say to the children of Israel (verse 30): “Return to your tents.” I am confident that God was upset at them. He was angry.  First of all, notice the emphasis He placed on His statement in verse 29 – it ends with an exclamation mark. You don’t see a lot of those in these passages.  Secondly, please note there’s a closing double quotation mark at the end verse 30.

[In fairness to those that are studying this passage with me, I must admit I may be in the minority of those who read the text in this way. Many commentators think that God was actually quite pleased with the Israelites, their response, and the fact that they enquired further of Him through Moses. I just don’t find the words and punctuation support that. I would value your perspective on it.  Just reply with a comment on the site, or to the posting on the social media you may have used to get here.]

He was done with them, and in verse 31, God addresses Moses only. He tells Moses to sit tight, to stand by Him so that God could give him all the commandments so he could teach them to the sons of Israel so that they would keep them in the lands that God gave them.

Then in verses 32-33 Moses again turns to, and instructs, the Israelites, perhaps more emphatically or as a command even, to observe these laws and not waver to the right or to the left of them. He wants them to stay on the course, on the path (the way) that God commanded. And again, the blessing would be life for them, prolonging their days.

Wrap-up

At face value, this is a pretty straight-forward historical account of events that took place between God, Moses, and the children of Israel before the took over the Promised Land on the west side of the Jordan. However, focusing on God as our hero in every passage of Scripture, we see once again His incredible patience with His children. They were worried about getting closer to God and hearing His voice may cause their death. So, He set their minds at ease by simply asking them to learn and follows His commandments and statutes and to teach them to their children and future generations. And doing so meant that “they would live, that things would be well with them, and that their days would be prolonged”.

What amazes me about this whole thing is its simplicity. Here are the rules. Obey. Gain a lot. Nothing complex here.  And so it is with. God is saying to us, “Here is My Son. He died for you. Accept Him as Savior. And live.”  So simple. Yet so hard for many to grasp.

It would be great if you would share your thoughts or questions on this blog in the comments section below or on social media.