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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 5:12 serves as a profound reiteration of the fourth commandment, calling Israel to "keep the sabbath day to sanctify it, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee." This verse underscores the divine origin and perpetual significance of the Sabbath, not merely as a day of rest, but as a consecrated time set apart for God. It reflects His holiness and His covenant relationship with His people, serving as a tangible reminder of His creative work and redemptive power, and establishing a rhythm of life rooted in divine trust and worship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:12 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is Reiteration, as this verse is a direct restatement of the fourth commandment from Exodus 20:8, serving to impress its importance upon the new generation poised to enter the Promised Land. The use of the Imperative Mood ("Keep," "sanctify") conveys the non-negotiable, authoritative nature of the divine command, demanding immediate and unwavering obedience. There is clear Emphasis through the concluding phrase "as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee," which not only validates the command but also highlights the personal, covenantal relationship between God and Israel, reinforcing the binding nature of their agreement. Finally, the verse is rich in Covenantal Language, framing the Sabbath observance as a sign and seal of the unique relationship between Yahweh and His chosen people, a visible marker of their identity and allegiance to His divine will.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command to keep the Sabbath is profoundly theological, rooted in God's nature as Creator and Redeemer. It is a tangible expression of trust in divine providence, acknowledging that human effort is not the sole determinant of provision. The Sabbath invites humanity into God's own rhythm of work and rest, reflecting the divine pattern established at creation. For Israel, it was a weekly reminder of their liberation from the incessant toil of Egyptian slavery, a celebration of freedom and God's sustaining grace. Theologically, it points to the principle that true rest and flourishing come from aligning one's life with God's design, prioritizing worship and communion over ceaseless labor. It also foreshadows a deeper, spiritual rest available through faith, a rest from striving and a reliance on God's finished work.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:12 transcends a mere legalistic injunction, inviting us into a rhythm of life that honors God and promotes human flourishing. In a world driven by productivity and constant activity, the call to "keep the sabbath day to sanctify it" remains profoundly relevant. It challenges us to intentionally set aside time for rest, worship, and reflection, trusting that God, not our ceaseless labor, is our ultimate provider and sustainer. This practice cultivates a posture of dependence on God, reminding us of our limits and His boundless grace. It is a spiritual discipline that counteracts the idols of busyness and self-sufficiency, fostering deeper communion with our Creator and Redeemer. By embracing a Sabbath rhythm, we not only honor God's command but also experience His restorative power in our physical, mental, and spiritual lives, finding true rest in His presence and acknowledging His sovereignty over all our time and endeavors.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Is the Sabbath command still binding for Christians today?
Answer: While the specific legalistic observance of the Sabbath on Saturday (the seventh day) is understood differently under the New Covenant, the underlying principles of the Sabbath remain profoundly relevant for Christians. The New Testament emphasizes that Christ is the fulfillment of the Law, including the Sabbath, as He declared Himself "Lord of the Sabbath" in Matthew 12:8. Believers are not bound by the Mosaic Law's specific regulations for Sabbath-keeping, as highlighted in Colossians 2:16-17, which describes these as a "shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." However, the call to regular rest, worship, and remembrance of God's finished work in creation and redemption is timeless. Many Christians observe Sunday as a day of worship and rest, commemorating Christ's resurrection, which is often referred to as "the Lord's Day" in Revelation 1:10. The essence is not the specific day, but the principle of setting aside time to cease from labor, focus on God, and experience His provision and rest.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:12, with its command to keep the Sabbath and sanctify it, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament Sabbath pointed to a physical rest and a memorial of creation and redemption from Egyptian slavery, Jesus reveals Himself as the true and ultimate Sabbath rest for humanity. He boldly declared Himself "Lord of the Sabbath" in Mark 2:28, demonstrating that the Sabbath was made for humanity's good, not humanity for the Sabbath, and that He possessed authority over its interpretation and application. In Him, we find cessation from the striving of legalistic works and the crushing burden of sin, entering into a spiritual rest that transcends a single day. As the author of Hebrews proclaims, "there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God" in Hebrews 4:9, a rest found in ceasing from our own works and trusting in Christ's finished work on the cross. He is our ultimate liberation from the slavery of sin and death, just as the Sabbath reminded Israel of their freedom from Egypt. Through His atoning sacrifice and glorious resurrection, Christ ushered in a new creation, offering true rest and sanctification to all who believe, embodying the very holiness and peace that the Sabbath was designed to anticipate. Indeed, He is our peace and our rest, as promised in Matthew 11:28-30.