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Commentary on Deuteronomy 5 verses 6–22
Here is the repetition of the ten commandments, in which observe, 1. Though they had been spoken before, and written, yet they are again rehearsed; for precept must be upon precept, and line upon line, and all little enough to keep the word of God in our minds and to preserve and renew the impressions of it. We have need to have the same things often inculcated upon us. See Phi 3:1. 2. There is some variation here from that record (Ex. 20), as there is between the Lord's prayer as it is in Mt. 6 and as it is Lu. 11. In both it is more necessary that we tie ourselves to the things than to the words unalterably. 3. The most considerable variation is in the fourth commandment. In Ex. 20 the reason annexed is taken from the creation of the world; here it is taken from their deliverance out of Egypt, because that was typical of our redemption by Jesus Christ, in remembrance of which the Christian sabbath was to be observed: Remember that thou wast a servant, and God brought thee out, Deu 5:15. And Therefore, (1.) "It is fit that thy servants should be favoured by the sabbath-rest; for thou knowest the heart of a servant, and how welcome one day's ease will be after six days' labour." (2.) "It is fit that thy God should be honoured by the sabbath-work, and the religious services of the day, in consideration of the great things he has done for thee." In the resurrection of Christ we were brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God, with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm; therefore, by the gospel-edition of the law, we are directed to observe the first day of the week, in remembrance of that glorious work of power and grace. 4. It is added in the fifth commandment, That it may go well with thee, which addition the apostle quotes, and puts first (Eph 6:3), that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long. If there be instances of some that have been very dutiful to their parents, and yet have not lived long upon earth, we may reconcile it to the promise by this explication of it, Whether they live long or no, it shall go well with them, either in this world or in a better. See Ecc 8:12. 5. The last five commandments are connected or coupled together, which they are not in Exodus: Neither shalt thou commit adultery, neither shalt thou steal, etc., which intimate that God's commands are all of a piece: the same authority that obliges us to one obliges us to another; and we must not be partial in the law, but have respect to all God's commandments, for he that offends in one point is guilty of all, Jam 2:10, Jam 2:11. 6. That these commandments were given with a great deal of awful solemnity, Deu 5:22. (1.) They were spoken with a great voice out of the fire, and thick darkness. That was a dispensation of terror, designed to make the gospel of grace the more welcome, and to be a specimen of the terrors of the judgment-day, Psa 50:3, Psa 50:4. (2.) He added no more. What other laws he gave them were sent by Moses, but no more were spoken in the same manner that the ten commandments were. He added no more, therefore we must not add: the law of the Lord is perfect. (3.) He wrote them in two tables of stone, that they might be preserved from corruption, and might be transmitted pure and entire to posterity, for whose use they were intended, as well as for the present generation. These being the heads of the covenant, the chest in which the written tables were deposited was called the ark of the covenant. See Rev 11:19.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:10 profoundly declares God's character, revealing His boundless and enduring mercy within the context of His covenant relationship with humanity. As an integral part of the re-statement of the Ten Commandments, delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, this verse stands in stark and hopeful contrast to the preceding declaration of judgment, emphasizing God's exponential willingness to extend steadfast love and compassion to countless generations of those who genuinely love Him and faithfully obey His commands.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:10 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message with striking clarity and impact. The most prominent is Contrast, specifically an Antithetical Parallelism, where the vastness of God's mercy ("thousands") is set against the limited scope of His judgment ("third and fourth generation" in Deuteronomy 5:9). This stark opposition powerfully emphasizes the superabundance of divine grace over divine wrath, highlighting God's primary disposition towards blessing. The phrase "unto thousands" also functions as Hyperbole or Merism, an intentional overstatement to convey an immeasurable quantity, underscoring the limitless and enduring nature of God's chêçêd. Furthermore, the verse utilizes a Conditional Statement by linking God's mercy to "them that love me and keep my commandments," establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship within the covenant framework. The pairing of "love me" and "keep my commandments" also forms a conceptual Parallelism, indicating that these two aspects are inextricably linked and represent a holistic response of covenant faithfulness, where one is the natural expression of the other.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 5:10 is a pivotal verse for understanding the very nature of God and the dynamics of His covenant. It reveals that while God is absolutely just and will judge sin, His primary disposition towards His people is one of boundless mercy and steadfast love. This mercy is not arbitrary but is extended within the framework of a relationship characterized by genuine love and obedient faithfulness. The verse underscores the profound truth that God desires to bless and preserve His people across generations, and that human faithfulness, rooted in love, creates a legacy of divine favor that far outlasts the consequences of rebellion. It teaches us that our response to God's holiness and covenant initiative should be one of devoted affection expressed through diligent obedience, recognizing that His commands are for our ultimate good and flourishing.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:10 offers profound reassurance and a clear call to action for believers today. It grounds our faith in the unchanging character of God, who is overwhelmingly merciful and gracious. This truth should inspire confidence and draw us into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Him, knowing that His love for us is vast and enduring, far surpassing any judgment. The verse also challenges us to examine the nature of our "love" for God. Is it merely a sentiment, or is it a vibrant, active commitment that translates into diligent obedience to His commands? True love for God is not burdensome but finds joy in aligning our lives with His will, recognizing that His commandments are for our good and flourishing, leading to true freedom and peace. Furthermore, the promise of generational blessing reminds us of the lasting impact of our spiritual choices. Our faithfulness today can establish a heritage of grace for our children and future generations, calling us to live intentionally as examples of love and obedience, sowing seeds of righteousness that will bear fruit for years to come, extending God's mercy through our lineage.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "shewing mercy unto thousands" truly mean in this context?
Answer: "Shewing mercy unto thousands" is a powerful expression emphasizing the immeasurable and enduring nature of God's steadfast love (chêçêd). It means that God's compassion, kindness, and covenant loyalty are not limited but extend far beyond human comprehension, reaching countless generations. It stands in direct contrast to the "third and fourth generation" mentioned in Deuteronomy 5:9 regarding judgment, highlighting that God's grace is infinitely more pervasive and long-lasting than His wrath. It signifies His desire to bless and preserve His people through a continuous flow of His goodness, demonstrating His abundant patience and faithfulness.
Is God's mercy conditional on our love and obedience?
Answer: In the context of the Old Covenant, Deuteronomy 5:10 presents God's mercy as contingent upon a reciprocal relationship of love and obedience. The phrase "of them that love me and keep my commandments" indicates that while God's character is inherently merciful, the experience of His covenant mercy and blessing is tied to the covenant partner's faithfulness. This is not a legalistic earning of salvation, but rather the natural flourishing that occurs when a people live in harmony with the God who has already initiated the covenant in love. For the Israelites, it meant walking in the ways of the covenant to receive its blessings and avoid its curses, as outlined throughout the entire book of Deuteronomy. This conditional aspect highlights the relational nature of the covenant.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:10, with its emphasis on God's enduring mercy for those who love and obey Him, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant revealed God's chêçêd within the framework of the law, humanity's consistent failure to perfectly love and obey demonstrated the need for a new and better covenant. Jesus Christ perfectly embodied the love and obedience required by the law, living a life of flawless devotion to the Father, always doing "what is pleasing to him" John 8:29. More significantly, His sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's mercy to "thousands"—indeed, to all who believe—not based on their earned obedience, but on His unmerited grace, for "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8. Through Christ, the New Covenant is established, where God's law is written on hearts by the Holy Spirit, enabling a true and Spirit-empowered love and obedience, as promised: "I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts" Hebrews 8:10, quoting Jeremiah 31:33. Thus, the "thousands" who experience God's mercy are those who are united with Christ by faith, receiving His righteousness and being empowered to truly love God and keep His commandments, not out of fear or obligation, but out of a grateful heart transformed by His grace, for "We love because he first loved us" 1 John 4:19.