World English Bible
- Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, “Hear, Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears today, that you may learn them, and observe to do them.”
- The LORD our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.
- The LORD didn’t make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive today.
- The LORD spoke with you face to face on the mountain out of the middle of the fire,
- (I stood between the LORD and you at that time, to show you the LORD’s word; for you were afraid because of the fire, and didn’t go up onto the mountain) saying,
- “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
- “You shall have no other gods before me.
- “You shall not make a carved image for yourself—any likeness of what is in heaven above, or what is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
- You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me
- and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
- “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who misuses his name.
- “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.
- You shall labor six days, and do all your work;
- but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, in which you shall not do any work—neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.
- You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
- “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
- “You shall not murder.
- “You shall not commit adultery.
- “You shall not steal.
- “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
- “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
- The LORD spoke these words to all your assembly on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice. He added no more. He wrote them on two stone tablets, and gave them to me.
- When you heard the voice out of the middle of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders;
- and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the middle of the fire. We have seen today that God does speak with man, and he lives.
- Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the LORD our God’s voice any more, then we shall die.
- For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the middle of the fire, as we have, and lived?
- Go near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say, and tell us all that the LORD our God tells you; and we will hear it, and do it.”
- The LORD heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me; and the LORD said to me, “I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have well said all that they have spoken.
- Oh that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
- “Go tell them, ‘Return to your tents.’
- But as for you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess.”
- You shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn away to the right hand or to the left.
- You shall walk in all the way which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
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