Deuteronomy 5:1-33
Q.1. How did Moses convey that the Covenant of the Ten Commandments was a new one? How was it received? (Dt.5:1-5)
Not only was the giving of this New Covenant with Israel dramatic, it was made specifically with the generation who had been rescued from slavery in Egypt. This event was so scary that the people pleaded with Moses to stand between them and God. Unlike the Abrahamic Covenant which was UNCONDITIONAL (Gen.15:12-21), the Mosaic Covenant was CONDITIONAL upon obedience. It was made with the nation who was saved out of Egypt. It spelled out the requirements necessary if they were to occupy the Promised Land (Ex.19:3-8; Dt.5:27). This Covenant was given in order to prove that sinners need a Saviour.
Q.2. What were the commands relating to God? Why were these commands important? (Dt.5:6-15)
The first four commandments underscored God’s jealousy. They demanded exclusive allegiance from His people – You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God … (Deut. 5:9). Tenure of the Promised Land was conditional upon Israel’s obedience – 23 So watch yourselves, that you do not forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you and make for yourselves a graven image in the form of anything against which the Lord your God has commanded you. 24 For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God (Dt.4:23-24). His blessings flow to those who trust in Him, rather than in their own plans (Prov.3:5-6).
Q.3. What message would the commandments regarding person to person relationships send to the surrounding nations? Why are they foundational for godly living? (Dt.5:16-21)
The Ten Commandments remain the best guidelines for good interpersonal relationships, and for safety and security for the citizens in a country. They would send a strong message to other nations about the holiness of God – 5 See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. 6 So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, `Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as is the Lord our God whenever we call on Him? 8 Or what great nation is there that has statutes and judgments as righteous as this whole law which I am setting before you today? (Dt.4:5-8). Jesus summed up these rules this way – In everything treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets (Mt.7:12).
Q.4. What impact did the giving of the Ten Commandments have on Israel? How could the people benefit from these laws? = (Dt.5:22-33)
The people were overawed. They called on Moses to act as their mediator. God revealed the sinful deeds of the flesh, in the giving of the Ten Commandments – and He added no more (Dt.5:22 c.f. Rom.7:7-14; Gal.3:19=24; 5:13-26). However, Judaism has added hundreds more, and has completely missed the point. They have turned their religion into a religion of works. The Law was intended to encourage people into a relationship with God through Christ – to cry to Him for mercy and salvation (Gal.3:19-24). The laws are good laws. They protect and bless us and our fellow travellers. God’s purpose is clear – 32 So you shall observe to do just as the Lord your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 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 will possess (Dt.5:32-33 c.f. Rom.7:7-12).