Deuteronomy 5:28

_AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN YE HEARD THE VOICE OUT OF THE MIDST OF THE DARKNESS, (FOR THE MOUNTAIN DID BURN WITH FIRE,) THAT YE CAME NEAR UNTO ME, EVEN ALL THE HEADS OF YOUR TRIBES, AND YOUR ELDERS;_ And ... ye came near unto me - (see the note at Exodus 20:19.)...

23-33 Moses refers to the consternation caused by the terror with which the law was given. God's appearances have always been terrible to man, ever since the fall; but Christ, having taken away sin, invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace. They were in a good mind, under the strong convictions of the word they heard. Many have their consciences startled by the law who have them not purified; fair promises are extorted from them, but no good principles are fixed and rooted in them. God commended what they said. He desires the welfare and salvation of poor sinners. He has given abundant proof that he does so; he gives us time and space to repent. He has sent his Son to redeem us, promised his Spirit to those who pray for him, and has declared that he has no pleasure in the ruin of sinners. It would be well with many, if there were always such a heart in them, as there seems to be...

These verses contain a much fuller narrative of the events briefly described in Exodus 20:18. Here it is important to call attention to the fact that it was on the entreaties of the people that Moses had taken on him to be the channel of communication between God and them. God approved Deuteronomy 5:28 the request of the people, because it showed a feeling of their own unworthiness to enter into direct communion with God. The terrors of Sinai had done their work; they had awakened the consciousness of sin....

EXPOSITION THE DECALOGUE THE BASIS OF THE COVENANT, THE ESSENCE OF THE WHOLE LAW, AND THE CONDITION OF LIFE AND FELICITY. DEUTERONOMY 5:1 Moses reminds them of the making of the covenant at Horeb, and of the revelation of the fundamental law of the covenant there. As he was about to recapitulate the laws which God their King had enacted, it was fitting that he should refer at the outset to that covenant relation between Jehovah and Israel on which all the injunctions of the Law rested....

AND THE LORD HEARD THE VOICE OF YOUR WORD, WHEN YE SPAKE UNTO ME,.... Not only in a general way, as he hears and knows all that is spoken by men; for there is not a word on the tongue, formed upon it, and uttered by it, but what is altogether known to him; but in a special and particular manner observed, took notice of, approved, and was well pleased with what these people said: AND THE LORD SAID UNTO ME, I HAVE HEARD THE VOICE OF THE WORDS OF THIS PEOPLE WHICH THEY HAVE SPOKEN UNTO THEE; not only heard the sound of them, but took notice of the sense and meaning of them, and listened to them with pleasure and delight: THEY HAVE WELL SAID ALL THAT THEY HAVE SPOKEN; expressing such an awe and reverence of the divine Majesty, desiring to have a mediator between God and them, and purposing and promising to hearken to and obey whatsoever he should command by him....

II. THE EXPOSITION OF THE LAW, EXHORTATIONS AND WARNINGS, BLESSING AND CURSE 1. The Proclamation of the Decalogue Chapter S 4:44-5:33 _ 1. The introductory words (Deuteronomy 4:44)_ 2. The law proclaimed (Deuteronomy 5:1) 3. Moses, the mediator (Deuteronomy 5:22) First a general announcement is given of the discourse on the law. The fact is emphasized, that it was set before them after they came forth out of Egypt. Then the victories over Sihon and Og are mentioned once more and that they now possessed their land. Why this repetition? It was to remind them of the goodness and faithfulness of Jehovah, whose law they were about to hear expounded. It was to be

SAID. See note on Deuteronomy 2:9....

_And_ JEHOVAH _heard the voice of your words_ Deuteronomy 1:34. _they have well said_ Deuteronomy 18:17. Yet...

DISCOURSE: 191 EXCELLENCY OF THE LITURGY [Note: This and the following Sermons on the same subject were preached before the University of Cambridge.] Deuteronomy 5:28. _They have well said all that they have spoken: O that there were such an heart in them!_ THE historical parts of the Old Testament are more worthy of our attention than men generally imagine. A multitude of facts recorded in them are replete with spiritual instruction, being intended by God to serve as emblems of those deep mysteries which were afterwards to be revealed. For instance: What is related of our first parent, his creation, his marriage, his sabbatic rest, was emblematic of that new creation which God will produce in us, and of that union with Christ whereby it shall be effected, and of the glorious rest to which it shall introduce us, as well in this world as in the world to come. In

c. GOD'S RESPONSE: DELIGHTED APPROVAL (Deuteronomy 5:28-31) 28 And Jehovah heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and Jehovah said unto me, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee; they have well said all that they have spoken. 29Oh 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 for ever! 30 Go say to them, Return ye to your tents. 31 But as for thee, stand thou here by me, and I will speak unto thee all the commandment, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which thou shalt teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess it. THOUGHT QUESTIONS 5:28-31 124. Mark Deuteronomy 5:28