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Commentary on Deuteronomy 5 verses 23–33
Here, I. Moses reminds them of the agreement of both the parties that were now treating, in the mediation of Moses.
1.Here is the consternation that the people were put into by that extreme terror with which the law was given. They owned that they could not bear it any more: "This great fire will consume us; this dreadful voice will be fatal to us; we shall certainly die if we hear it any more," Deu 5:25. They wondered that they were not already struck dead with it, and took it for an extraordinary instance of the divine power and goodness, not only that they were thus spoken to, but that they were enabled to bear it. For who ever heard the voice of the living God, as we have, and lived? God's appearances have always been terrible to man, ever since the fall: but Christ, having taken away sin, invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace.
2.Their earnest request that God would henceforth speak to them by Moses, with a promise that they would hear what he said as from God himself, and do it, Deu 5:27. It seems by this, (1.) That they expected to receive further commands from God and were willing to hear more from him. (2.) That they thought Moses able to bear those discoveries of the divine glory which they by reason of guilt were sensible of their inability to stand up under. They believed him to be a favourite of Heaven, and also one that would be faithful to them; yet at other times they murmured at him, and but a little before this were ready to stone him, Exo 17:4. See how men's convictions correct their passions. (3.) That now they were in a good mind, under the strong convictions of the word they heard. Many have their consciences startled by the law that have them not purified; fair promises are extorted from them, but no good principles fixed and rooted in them.
3.God's approbation of their request. (1.) He commends what they said, Deu 5:28. They spoke it to Moses, but God took notice of it; for there is not a word in our tongue but he knows it. He acknowledges, They have well said. Their owning the necessity of a mediator to deal between them and God was well said. Their desire to receive further directions from God by Moses, and their promise to observe what directions should be given them, were well said. And what is well said shall have its praise with God, and should have with us. What is good, as far as it goes, let it be commended. (2.) He wishes they were but sincere in it: O that there were such a heart in them! Deu 5:29. [1.] Such a heart as they should have, a heart to fear God, and keep his commandments for ever. Note, The God of heaven is truly and earnestly desirous of the welfare and salvation of poor sinners. He has given abundant proof that he is so: he gives us time and space to repent, by his mercies invites us to repentance, and waits to be gracious; he has sent his Son to redeem us, published a general offer of pardon and life, promised his Spirit to those that pray for him, and has said and sworn that he has no pleasure in the ruin of sinners. [2.] Such a heart as they now had, or one would think they had. Note, It would be well with many if there were always such a heart in them as there seems to be sometimes, when they are under conviction of sin, or the rebukes of Providence, or when they come to look death in the face: How gracious will they be when these pangs come upon them! O that there were always such a heart in them! (3.) He appoints Moses to be his messenger to them, to receive the law from his mouth and to communicate it to them, Deu 5:31. Here the matter was settled by consent of both parties that God should hence-forward speak to us by men like ourselves, by Moses and the prophets, by the apostles and the evangelists, and, if we believe not these, neither should we be persuaded though God should speak to us as he did to Israel at Mount Sinai, or send expresses from heaven or hell.
II. Hence he infers a charge to them to observe and do all that God had commanded them, Deu 5:32, Deu 5:33. Seeing God had shown himself so tender of them, and so willing to consider their frame and gratify them in what they desired, and withal so ready to make the best of them, - seeing they themselves had desired to have Moses for their teacher, who was now teaching them, - and seeing they had promised so solemnly, and under the influence of so many good causes and considerations, that they would hear and do, he charges them to walk in all the ways that God had commanded them, assuring them that it would be highly for their advantage to do so. The only way to be happy is to be holy. Say to the righteous, It shall be well with them.
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SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 5:28 captures a profound moment in Israel's covenant history, where the LORD unequivocally affirms the sincerity and appropriateness of the people's response at Mount Horeb. Overwhelmed by the terrifying, direct manifestation of God's presence as He delivered the Ten Commandments, the Israelites pleaded with Moses to serve as their intermediary, promising to listen and obey all that God would communicate through him. This verse records God's immediate and positive acknowledgment of their words, signifying divine approval of their expressed fear, reverence, and initial commitment to the covenant, thereby validating Moses' pivotal role as mediator.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within Moses' second major discourse in Deuteronomy, which serves as a solemn recounting and re-establishment of the covenant made at Mount Horeb (Sinai) with the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab. Immediately preceding this, Deuteronomy 5:6-21 vividly describes the direct, awe-inspiring, and profoundly terrifying delivery of the Ten Commandments by God Himself. The people's overwhelming fear, their sense of impending death, and their inability to endure further direct divine communication are powerfully articulated in Deuteronomy 5:24-27, where they earnestly request Moses to act as their intermediary. Deuteronomy 5:28 is God's direct, affirming response to this plea, validating their words and setting the crucial precedent for Moses' ongoing role as the primary conduit of divine revelation and law for the nation of Israel.
Historical & Cultural Context: The setting for Moses' address is the plains of Moab, approximately 40 years after the Exodus, with the generation that initially experienced the Horeb covenant having largely passed away. Moses is speaking to a new generation on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, reminding them of their foundational covenant obligations and the unique, terrifying, yet glorious nature of their encounter with God at Sinai. The Horeb event was unparalleled in ancient Near Eastern history, as God revealed Himself directly to an entire nation, establishing their identity as His chosen people. The Israelites' request for a mediator was not a rejection of God but a profound recognition of His overwhelming holiness and their own finite, sinful nature, a common human response to divine power. This act of mediation would become a defining characteristic of Israel's relationship with God, highlighting the necessary bridge between a holy God and His people.
Key Themes: Deuteronomy 5:28 significantly contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully underscores God's Attentiveness and Responsiveness to His people, demonstrating a deity who actively listens, understands, and engages with the concerns and expressions of His covenant partners. Secondly, it highlights Divine Approval of Sincerity and Righteous Intent, as God commends their words not merely for being spoken, but for being "well said," reflecting a genuine, albeit temporary, fear and desire to obey. This divine validation is crucial. Thirdly, the verse solidifies the Necessity and Divine Sanction of a Mediator, establishing Moses' crucial role in bridging the gap between a holy God and fallible Israel, a theme that profoundly foreshadows the ultimate mediator. Finally, it touches on the theme of Human Responsibility and the Promise of Obedience, as the people's words imply a commitment to "hear and do" (as stated in Deuteronomy 5:27), which God acknowledges with approval, even as the subsequent narrative will reveal their tragic failures to consistently live up to this promise.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:28 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message and underscore its significance. Repetition is prominently used, particularly in the phrases "heard the voice of your words" and "heard the voice of the words of this people." This repetition serves to emphasize God's attentiveness and the certainty of His reception of their plea, highlighting the gravity of the people's spoken words and God's direct, responsive engagement. Anthropomorphism is evident in the depiction of God "hearing" and "speaking," attributing human senses and actions to the divine. This device makes God's engagement relatable and comprehensible to the Israelites, underscoring His personal involvement in their covenant relationship. Finally, the verse functions as a powerful moment of Divine Affirmation, where God explicitly validates the people's response as "well said." This affirmation is a crucial rhetorical act, establishing the legitimacy of their fear and the necessity of Moses' mediatorial role, thereby setting the stage for the subsequent giving of the Law through Moses.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 5:28 profoundly reveals God's character as an attentive and responsive deity who not only hears the cries of His people but also discerns the sincerity of their hearts. His commendation, "they have well said," underscores that genuine fear of the Lord and a humble recognition of one's limitations in the face of divine holiness are pleasing to Him. This moment establishes the foundational principle of mediation in the covenant, acknowledging humanity's inherent need for an intermediary to bridge the infinite gap between a holy God and fallible humanity. While the Israelites' initial sincerity was commendable, the subsequent narrative of Israel's history, particularly in the wilderness, would tragically demonstrate their inability to consistently live up to this promise of obedience, highlighting the persistent need for divine grace and a more perfect mediator.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:28 offers profound encouragement and challenge for believers today. It reminds us that God is not a distant, unfeeling deity but one who actively listens to the "voice of our words" and discerns the sincerity of our hearts. Just as He affirmed the Israelites' genuine fear and desire for a mediator, He values our honest confessions, our humble requests, and our heartfelt commitments. This verse calls us to approach God with reverence and sincerity, knowing that He desires a relationship built on truth and genuine intention, not mere ritual or empty words. While we, like the Israelites, often fall short of our promises, God's initial affirmation of their "well said" words invites us to continually return to Him with renewed commitment, trusting in His attentiveness and grace. It also deepens our appreciation for the ultimate mediator, without whom our access to a holy God would be impossible, transforming our fear into reverent love and confident approach.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "they have well said all that they have spoken" truly mean in this context?
Answer: This phrase signifies God's divine approval and commendation of the Israelites' words. It means that their expressed fear of God's overwhelming presence, their recognition of their inability to directly endure further divine communication, and their request for Moses to mediate on their behalf were not only appropriate but also righteous and commendable in God's sight. It wasn't just that their words were heard, but that the underlying sentiment—a proper reverence for God's holiness and a desire for obedience—was deemed "good" by Yahweh. This validation set the stage for Moses to continue as the primary conduit for God's law, as seen in Deuteronomy 5:31.
Did the Israelites live up to their promise of obedience, which God affirmed here?
Answer: While God affirmed their initial sincerity and their expressed desire to obey at Mount Horeb, the subsequent history of Israel, both in the wilderness and later in the land, demonstrates a consistent pattern of disobedience and covenant breaking. Despite their "well said" words in Deuteronomy 5:27, their actions often fell short. This highlights the human tendency to fail even after sincere promises, underscoring the need for God's persistent grace and the ultimate solution found in a new covenant, as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:28, with its emphasis on the people's desperate need for a mediator and God's approval of that need, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect mediation of Jesus Christ. The Israelites, terrified by God's unapproachable holiness at Sinai, recognized their profound inability to stand directly before Him, prompting their request for Moses to intercede. This human limitation finds its divine and perfect answer in Christ, who is the "one mediator between God and mankind" (1 Timothy 2:5). Unlike Moses, who was a temporary and imperfect mediator, Jesus perfectly bridges the chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, not merely by conveying words but by offering Himself as the atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 9:15). Through His finished work on the cross, believers can now "approach God with freedom and confidence" (Ephesians 3:12), having a High Priest who not only understands our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15) but also perfectly fulfills all righteousness and offers the means for true obedience from a transformed heart, a promise that the old covenant could not fully deliver (Hebrews 8:6). Thus, the "well said" words of the Israelites at Horeb find their ultimate and lasting fulfillment in the "well done" work of Christ, which grants us access and reconciliation to God.