As Moses gathers the people, he passionately calls them to remember their covenant with God. He declares,
“Hear, Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.”
— Deuteronomy 5:1 (New International Version)
Notice the Hebrew word for “hear”: Shema (שְׁמַע). To an ancient Hebrew, “hear” didn’t merely mean listening without attention; rather, it implied listening and responding with obedience, an active surrender to God. This understanding helps us grasp why Moses so fervently reminded the Israelites to learn and follow God’s statutes. This command echoes powerfully in Deuteronomy 6:4–5 (“Hear, O Israel…”) and essentially serves as the bedrock of Israel’s spiritual life.
Here Moses retells the giving of the Ten Commandments (also found in Exodus 20). This repetition (in Greek, Deuteronomy means “second law”) emphasizes that God’s laws are both foundational and relational. These commandments, placed carefully at the heart of Israel’s covenant with God, establish how one loves God (first four commandments) and how one loves one’s neighbor (remaining six commandments).
A subtle difference worth noticing: about the Sabbath commandment—while Exodus 20 grounds rest on God’s rest in creation, Moses here in Deuteronomy grounds it upon the liberation from slavery in Egypt. This beautifully illustrates redemption as a reason for rest. We who experience redemption in Christ Jesus should view Sabbath rest as a joyous remembrance of freedom earned not through our efforts but through Christ’s finished work.
In a western industrial culture often obsessed with relentless productivity, we typically underestimate the profound gift of Sabbath. Sabbath rest wasn’t simply physical rest—it was a weekly enactment of freedom and dignity that Israel received as redeemed people. Modern archaeological findings, such as ancient Near Eastern legal tablets or treatises, show no comparable high moral standard emphasizing a compassionate day of rest for everyone—not just the rich, but also servants, foreigners, and even livestock. Truly, our God is compassionate, granting rest even for the least empowered.
Here, Israel recounts their fear-filled encounter with God’s consuming holiness on Sinai—the dark cloud, the thunder, the voice of God that made the mountain tremble. God’s awesome holiness evokes both reverential fear and comfort in knowing He indeed communicates directly with His people, yet graciously provides Moses as a mediator.
This “mediator principle” highlights a recurring biblical theme: an infinitely holy God bridging the gap between divinity and humanity through a mediator—first Moses, later Christ himself. Like Moses brought moral clarity and personal relationship with God, Jesus Christ becomes our perfect mediator (1 Timothy 2:5).
Historically, theologians like John Calvin called this passage foundational, revealing God’s transcendence (His separateness and holiness) as well as his mercy in providing mediation. We stand in awe of God’s holiness, trembling before Him, yet comforted by Christ our advocate (1 John 2:1).
Consider the classic hymn, “How Firm a Foundation”—not only does it reflect the security of God’s unchanging Word but beautifully mirrors Deuteronomy’s theme of God’s reliability, promise, and presence amid uncertainties.
Brothers and sisters, Moses reminds us today that obedience and worship are responses to the grace and redemption we’ve already experienced. God has brought liberty through Christ’s sacrifice; how shall we now live? Not as slaves once again burdened by sin and worldly expectations, but as joyous children, obeying God out of gratitude, practicing Sabbath rest to honor redemption, and living as lights to the nations.
Lord God Almighty,
Just as You delivered Israel from slavery, You have delivered us into
freedom through Christ Your Son. Help us hear Your voice clearly
today—not just to listen, but to respond with joyful obedience and deep
gratitude. Remind us often of Your holiness, grant us holy reverence
blended with assurance through Christ’s perfect mediation.
Teach us the beauty and depth of Sabbath rest, allowing it to refresh
our hearts and reorder our priorities.
Thank you for Your covenantal love that continues from generation to
generation.
In Christ’s holy and gracious name, we pray. Amen.
Narrated version of this devotional on Deuteronomy Chapter 5