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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 5:7 presents the foundational first commandment, "Thou shalt have none other gods before me," delivered by God to Israel through Moses. This pivotal declaration establishes the absolute exclusivity of the covenant relationship between the Lord and His people, demanding their singular allegiance, undivided worship, and complete devotion. It sets the theological bedrock for their national identity and spiritual life, unequivocally asserting God's unique supremacy and His intolerance for any rivals in the hearts and lives of His chosen people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 5:7 powerfully employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound message. Primarily, it functions as a Direct Command or Imperative, reflecting the absolute authority and non-negotiable nature of God's revealed will. The implied negative "Thou shalt not" (inherent in "none other") is a characteristic feature of apodictic law, presenting an unconditional and absolute prohibition. This verse serves as a foundational Monotheistic Declaration, asserting the singularity, uniqueness, and incomparable nature of Yahweh in a world teeming with diverse polytheistic beliefs and practices. The deeply significant phrase "before me" (ʿal-pānay) functions as a form of Anthropomorphism, attributing a "face" or "presence" to God, which makes His demand for exclusive devotion feel more immediate, personal, and profoundly intimate. Furthermore, the entire commandment is an quintessential act of Covenant Language, laying down the primary and indispensable condition for the sacred relationship between God and Israel, where unqualified loyalty and singular devotion are paramount.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This first commandment stands as the indisputable theological cornerstone of the entire Mosaic Law, profoundly establishing the very nature of the God with whom Israel has entered into a solemn covenant. It reveals God as utterly unique, supremely sovereign, and fiercely jealous for His glory, unequivocally demanding exclusive worship and undivided loyalty from His people. This foundational principle transcends mere ritualistic adherence, penetrating into the very core of one's devotion, allegiance, and ultimate trust. Any form of idolatry, whether it be overt worship of pagan deities, the creation of graven images, or the more subtle, insidious devotion to anything that usurps God's rightful, supreme place in our lives, is a direct affront to His absolute supremacy and an egregious breach of the covenant. This command sets the stage for understanding all subsequent commandments as flowing directly from and upholding this primary, non-negotiable truth: God alone is God, and He alone is worthy of all worship, honor, and adoration.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 5:7 issues a radical and timeless call for us to continually re-evaluate our deepest priorities and allegiances. While overt idol worship involving physical statues may not be common in many contemporary societies, the profound principle of having "other gods before me" remains profoundly relevant and acutely challenging. Anything that occupies the supreme place in our hearts, minds, and lives—anything that we trust in more than God, pursue more passionately than God, or from which we derive our ultimate identity, security, or fulfillment apart from God—effectively becomes an idol. This insidious idolatry can manifest in countless ways: the relentless pursuit of wealth, career success, social status, personal comfort, the adoration of relationships, or even the subtle elevation of our own self-will, desires, and opinions. This commandment challenges us to engage in continuous, honest self-examination, asking what truly holds the highest place in our lives and whether our devotion is truly singular and undivided towards the one true God. It is a persistent call to repentance, realignment, and a daily commitment to ensuring that God remains undeniably "before" all else, preeminent in every facet of our existence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "before me" specifically mean in this context?
Answer: The Hebrew phrase ʿal-pânay (literally "upon my face" or "in my presence") is profoundly significant and crucial for understanding this commandment. It means far more than simply "in front of me" in a spatial sense. It conveys the powerful theological idea of "in opposition to me," "alongside me," or "in my sight." This implies that no other god should ever be acknowledged, worshipped, or even conceived of in God's immediate sphere of influence or in a way that competes with His absolute, unique claim to worship. It underscores God's omnipresence and His demand for exclusive, undivided attention and loyalty from His covenant people. It is an absolute prohibition against any form of polytheism or religious syncretism that would in any way diminish God's unique and supreme position as the one true God. This concept is foundational to the entire covenant, emphasizing that God will not share His glory or His people's devotion with any other entity, as reiterated in Isaiah 42:8.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 5:7 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The demand for singular, exclusive devotion to God is perfectly embodied by Jesus Himself, who consistently glorified the Father and declared His own unique, intimate relationship with Him, stating, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:30). Jesus affirmed the absolute supremacy of this first commandment when confronted with the question of the greatest commandment, responding with the resounding declaration, "You shall worship the Lord your God and serve him only" (Matthew 4:10 and Luke 4:8), directly echoing the very essence of Deuteronomy 5:7. Furthermore, Christ Himself is the ultimate and perfect revelation of God, the "image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15), through whom alone we can truly know, approach, and worship the Father. He is the sole mediator between God and humanity (1 Timothy 2:5), making Him the exclusive path to God, thereby fulfilling the spirit of the command that there should be "none other gods before" the one true God revealed in Him. Our worship of the Father through the Son, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is the New Covenant expression of this foundational commandment, ensuring that our devotion is always directed to the triune God alone.