The People Afraid of God’s Presence

Topic: Dedication
Passage: Deuteronomy 5:22–33

January 5, 2023

Commentary

Moses rehearses for this younger generation going into the Promised Land the tremendous experience of receiving the law directly from God (vv. 22-26). The children of Israel promised to keep the Law, but they did not do it (v. 27). These people were under favorable conditions, living in the land promised to them but they were unable to keep the Law. That should be a lesson to us. Just as they were unable to keep it, so you and I are unable to keep it.
The Law is like a mirror. We are to look in it, and it will reveal to us that we are sinners. The mirror in our bathroom will show the smudge spot on our face, but it won’t wash off the spot. We must come to the basin and wash it away. The Law in the mirror tells us to start washing. It tells us to come to Christ. It is the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, that will wash us and keep on cleansing us from all sin. 
Many today have lost the biblical concept of the majesty and authority of God as expressed in His Law. In his appeal to Israel, Moses urged the people to remember the majesty of God and respect the Word of God (vv. 28-29). Obedience is always a matter of the heart, and if we love the Lord, we will keep His commandments (Jn. 14:15). The heart attitude of people is evidenced by their obedience or by their disobedience (vv. 30-33). A.W. Tozer was right when he said that “no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God.”

Application

God is not interested in forced religious exercises and rule keeping. He wants me to have a heart and life that is completely dedicated to Him. If I truly love Him, I will obey Him.

Deuteronomy 5:22– 33 (NET)

22 The Lord said these things to your entire assembly at the mountain from the middle of the fire, the cloud, and the darkness with a loud voice, and that was all he said. Then he inscribed the words on two stone tablets and gave them to me. 23 Then, when you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness while the mountain was ablaze, all your tribal leaders and elders approached me. 24 You said, “The Lord our God has shown us his great glory, and we have heard him speak from the middle of the fire. It is now clear to us that God can speak to human beings and they can keep on living. 25 But now, why should we die, because this intense fire will consume us? If we keep hearing the voice of the Lord our God we will die! 26 Who is there from the entire human race who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the middle of the fire as we have, and has lived? 27 You go near so that you can hear everything the Lord our God is saying and then you can tell us whatever he says to you; then we will pay attention and do it.” 28 When the Lord heard you speaking to me, he said to me, “I have heard what these people have said to you—they have spoken well. 29 If only it would really be their desire to fear me and obey all my commandments in the future, so that it may go well with them and their descendants forever. 30 Go and tell them, ‘Return to your tents!’ 31 But as for you, remain here with me so I can declare to you all the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that you are to teach them, so that they can carry them out in the land I am about to give them.” 32 Be careful, therefore, to do exactly what the Lord your God has commanded you; do not turn right or left! 33 Walk just as he has commanded you so that you may live, that it may go well with you, and that you may live long in the land you are going to possess.

What do you think? Let us know below!

Comments are closed.