INTRODUCTORY. Part 1 of the commentary contained the first speech of Moses which proclaimed the recent history of Israel under the hand of Yahweh, demonstrating why they had reason to be grateful to Him, and finishing with a reminder of how gloriously and fearsomely the covenant had been given and a... [ Continue Reading ]
MOSES EMPHASISES THAT THE COVENANT WAS NOT ONLY GIVEN TO THEIR FATHERS BUT WAS GIVEN ALSO DIRECTLY TO THEM OUT OF THE MIDST OF THE FIRE (DEUTERONOMY 5:1). Moses now repeats briefly what he has already said in his previous speech. We note here that this directly connects back to Deuteronomy 4:10, an... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WORDS OF THE COVENANT OF YAHWEH (DEUTERONOMY 5:6). Having provided the context he now expands on the basic covenant. At this point the pronouns change from plural to singular until Deuteronomy 5:22. This was so as to emphasise the personal application of what was said to each listener, and also... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CONTEXT OF THE GIVING OF THE COVENANT AND THE PEOPLE'S FEAR (DEUTERONOMY 5:22). Having repeated the covenant he now sought to emphasise again the circumstances under which it was given. The twofold repetition of this before and after the basic covenant itself demonstrates how concerned he was t... [ Continue Reading ]
YAHWEH'S ADDITIONAL RESPONSE (DEUTERONOMY 5:29). In His response Yahweh declares His longing that what His people had said might be true, and allows them to return to their tents, but commands that Moses will remain before Him in order to receive His commandment, that is, His statutes and ordinance... [ Continue Reading ]
FINAL COMMENT (DEUTERONOMY 5:32). Having fully described what had happened at Sinai/Horeb Moses now adds his own final comments. They are to observe and do what Yahweh has commanded without any diversions from it, and they are to walk in the way in which Yahweh has commanded them to live so that it... [ Continue Reading ]