Deuteronomy 5:28

Deuteronomy 5:28 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's covenant relationship with God, highlighting God's direct response to the people's plea at Mount Horeb (also known as Mount Sinai). Following the awe-inspiring and terrifying revelation of the Ten Commandments, the Israelites, overwhelmed by the divine presence, requested that Moses act as their mediator. This verse records God's affirmation of their words.

Historical and Cultural Context

This passage is part of Moses' second major discourse in the book of Deuteronomy, delivered to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they entered the Promised Land. Moses is recounting the events at Mount Horeb, where God Himself spoke the Ten Commandments directly to the people. The experience was so powerful and fearsome (as described in Deuteronomy 5:24-27) that the people begged Moses to receive further instructions from God on their behalf, promising to listen and obey. This historical setting underscores the people's initial sincerity and their recognition of God's immense power and holiness.

Key Themes and Messages

• God's Attentiveness: The phrase "the LORD heard the voice of your words" emphasizes God's active listening and responsiveness to His people. This demonstrates a personal and engaged deity who pays attention to the pleas and intentions of His chosen nation.
• Divine Approval of Sincerity: God declares, "they have well said all that they have spoken." This signifies His approval of their expressed desire to obey and their acknowledgment of His holiness. It's not just about the words spoken, but the underlying sincerity and fear of the Lord that prompted them.
• The Role of a Mediator: The people's request for Moses to mediate (as outlined in Deuteronomy 5:27) was divinely sanctioned. God acknowledged their need for an intermediary due to their inability to directly withstand His unadulterated presence. This sets a precedent for the importance of a mediator in the covenant relationship.
• Promise of Obedience: The people's declaration that they would "hear it, and do it" (Deuteronomy 5:27) was met with God's affirmation. While their future actions would often fall short, this moment captures a genuine desire for obedience at the outset of their covenant renewal.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "they have well said" is yeeṭîbû kol-’ăšer dibbārû (יֵיטִיבוּ כֹּל אֲשֶׁר דִּבָּרוּ). The verb yeeṭîbû comes from the root y.ṭ.b., meaning "to be good, to do well, to do right." It conveys a sense of divine affirmation that their words were indeed appropriate, proper, and commendable in God's sight. It's not merely that their words were heard, but that they were deemed good and fitting given the circumstances and their expressed intentions.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 5:28 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

• God Hears Our Prayers and Intentions: Just as God heard the Israelites, He hears our prayers and the sincere intentions of our hearts. This verse encourages us to approach God with our requests and commitments, knowing He is attentive.
• The Importance of Sincere Commitment: God commends their words because they were "well said," reflecting a genuine (at that moment) desire to obey. This reminds us that our promises and commitments to God should stem from a sincere heart, not just lip service. While we often fall short, God values our initial and ongoing desire to follow Him.
• Understanding Our Need for a Mediator: The Israelites recognized their inability to stand directly before God's terrifying holiness without a mediator. This points forward to the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity, enabling us to approach God through Him.
• The Value of Listening to God's Word: The people promised to "hear and do" what God commanded through Moses. This underscores the timeless principle that true faith involves not just hearing God's word, but actively applying it in our lives.