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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.
There the finger of God worked upon tables of stone: here upon the hearts of men. So there the law was set outside men to be a terror to the unjust: here it was given within them to be their justification. “For this: you shall not commit adultery, you shall do no murder, you shall not covet, and if there be any other commandment”—written, as we know, upon those tables—“it is briefly comprehended,” said the apostle, “in this saying: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love works not a neighbor’s ill: and charity is the fullness of the law.” This law is not written on tables of stone but is shed abroad in our hearts through the Holy Spirit which is given to us. Therefore the law of God is charity. To it the mind of the flesh is not subject, neither indeed can be. But when, to put fear into the mind of the flesh, the works of charity are written upon tables, we have the law of works, the letter killing the transgression. When charity itself is shed abroad in the hearts of believers, we have the law of faith, the Spirit giving life to the lover.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:22 serves as the climactic conclusion to Moses' recounting of the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Horeb (Sinai). This verse powerfully emphasizes the direct, overwhelming, and final nature of God's revelation to the entire Israelite assembly, delivered amidst a terrifying display of fire, cloud, and thick darkness. It highlights the divine authorship and enduring permanence of these foundational laws, which God Himself inscribed on stone tablets, subsequently entrusting them to Moses as the covenant mediator for the nation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:22 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is Theophany, the visible and audible manifestation of God. The description of God speaking "out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness" with a "great voice" is a classic depiction of divine presence, designed to evoke awe, fear, and reverence. This dramatic imagery emphasizes God's immense power, unapproachable holiness, and transcendence. There is also significant Emphasis through Repetition, as Moses reiterates the Sinai event to a new generation, underscoring the foundational importance and enduring relevance of the covenant for their future. The concise phrase "he added no more" serves as a powerful Litotes (a form of understatement), succinctly conveying the absolute finality and sufficiency of these core commands by stating what was not done. Finally, Symbolism is evident in the "tables of stone," which powerfully symbolize the permanence, durability, immutability, and divine authorship of God's law, serving as a tangible representation of an eternal truth.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 5:22 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine revelation, the absolute authority of God's law, and the establishment of the covenant. It underscores God's active and personal engagement with humanity, choosing to reveal His character and will directly to His chosen people in a terrifying yet glorious display. The direct speech and the inscription on stone tablets signify the absolute authority and unchanging nature of God's moral standards, which are not subject to human whims or cultural shifts. This revelation forms the very bedrock of Israel's identity as a covenant nation, called to live in exclusive loyalty and obedience to Yahweh, distinguishing them from all other peoples. The verse also subtly introduces the theme of mediation, as God's direct presence was too overwhelming for the people, necessitating Moses' role, which foreshadows the ultimate mediator.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:22 calls us to a profound reverence for the Word of God and the God of the Word. The direct, powerful, and final nature of God's revelation at Sinai reminds us that His commands are not suggestions but authoritative declarations from the Creator of the universe. We are invited to reflect on the immense privilege of having God's revealed will, recognizing its enduring truth and moral authority even in a rapidly changing world. This verse challenges us to consider our own posture towards divine revelation: Do we approach God's Word with the awe and seriousness it demands, understanding it as a direct communication from the Almighty? It also encourages us to appreciate the sufficiency of God's foundational truths, recognizing that while application may vary, the core principles of His character and moral law remain constant and immutable. Ultimately, it directs our gaze to the ultimate Mediator, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies God's Word and makes true communion with God possible.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did God speak directly to the entire assembly at Sinai, and what was the significance of this direct address?
Answer: God spoke directly to the entire assembly at Mount Sinai (Horeb) to emphasize the unique, personal, and corporate nature of His covenant with Israel. This direct revelation, accompanied by a terrifying display of fire, cloud, and thick darkness, was designed to instill profound awe, reverence, and fear of the Lord (as explicitly stated in Deuteronomy 4:10). It underscored the undeniable divine origin and absolute authority of the Ten Commandments, ensuring that the entire nation bore witness to the foundational principles of their relationship with Yahweh. This direct, unmediated communication established the covenant not just with Moses, but with every individual in the assembly, binding them collectively to God's law and demanding their exclusive loyalty. It set Israel apart as a nation uniquely chosen and directly addressed by the living God, distinguishing Him from the silent idols of other nations and establishing a personal relationship with His people.
What is the meaning of "he added no more," and why is this phrase important?
Answer: The phrase "he added no more" signifies the completeness, finality, and foundational nature of the Ten Commandments as the core of God's moral and covenantal law for Israel. It indicates that these specific "words" (the Decalogue) were God's direct, self-sufficient, and exhaustive pronouncement of the fundamental principles for righteous living and covenant faithfulness. While God would later give more detailed statutes and ordinances through Moses (e.g., the extensive laws found in Deuteronomy 12-26), these Ten Words stood distinct as the direct, unmediated utterance from God's own "great voice." This phrase emphasizes their unique authority, immutability, and their role as the bedrock upon which all subsequent laws and covenant stipulations were built. They were the essential, non-negotiable terms of the covenant relationship, forming the very essence of God's moral demands.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:22, with its emphasis on God's direct, powerful, and final revelation of His Law, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While God spoke from the mount in fire and cloud, His ultimate and most complete revelation is found in His Son. As Hebrews 1:1-2 declares, "Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." Jesus is the living Word, the perfect embodiment and fulfillment of the Law (as He Himself stated in Matthew 5:17). He not only perfectly obeyed every jot and tittle of the Law but also revealed its deeper spiritual intent, moving beyond external compliance to internal transformation. The "great voice" of God at Sinai, too terrifying for the people to endure directly, is superseded by the gentle yet authoritative voice of Christ, who invites us to come to Him for rest and light burdens (as promised in Matthew 11:28-30). Furthermore, just as the Law was written on "tables of stone," the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's sacrifice, promises that God will write His laws not on stone, but on the hearts and minds of His people through the Holy Spirit (as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:33 and affirmed in 2 Corinthians 3:3). Moses, as the mediator of the Old Covenant, foreshadowed Christ, who is the "mediator of a new covenant" (Hebrews 9:15), providing access to God not through terrifying displays, but through His atoning blood, making reconciliation and intimate relationship possible for all who believe.