Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy 5: The rescuing God gives His law

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the law given by the God who rescued Israel, let us ask Him to search our hearts. Pray that our family would see His goodness and our need for a mediator.

Yahweh’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart. Yahweh’s commandment is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 19:8

Father in heaven, please open our eyes to understand Your commands. Show us Jesus, who obeyed You from His heart and saves those who trust Him. Make us more like Your Son in love and obedience. Please bless our family as we listen. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Moses calls Israel to hear, learn and obey the covenant made at Horeb. The LORD begins His commands by recalling that He brought them out of slavery in Egypt. He commands worship of Him alone and gives laws governing His name, Sabbath rest and life with neighbours. The people heard His great voice from the fire, and He wrote the commandments on two stone tablets. Afraid of being consumed, they asked Moses to hear God's words and bring them back. God approved their request and expressed His desire for hearts that would fear Him and obey always.

As you read Deuteronomy 5, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God rescues His people and commands their wholehearted obedience.

The Ten Commandments begin with God's rescue from Egypt, so Israel hears the law as a redeemed nation. The covenant at Horeb binds the people now standing before Moses, as well as the generation who first heard it. God's commands reach worship, speech, work and rest, family life, possessions and the desires of the heart. The Sabbath recalls slavery in Egypt and gives rest to servants as well as masters. No household in Israel could claim God's rescue while denying its servants the rest He commanded. Fear of the fire led Israel to ask Moses to stand between them and God. God approved their request, yet said, “Oh that there were such a heart in them,” because they did not have it. Their need for a mediator leads to Jesus, who stands between God and sinners.

How does Deuteronomy 5 show us that God rescues His people and commands their wholehearted obedience?

God rescued Israel before He gave these commands.

The first words recall the house of bondage from which God brought them. Their obedience was the response He required from the nation He had rescued. Keeping commands was never a way for sinners to earn acceptance before God.

God commands love in worship and daily life.

He forbids other gods and images, and will not hold misuse of His name guiltless. God visits fathers’ sins on their children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him. He shows loving kindness to thousands who love Him and keep His commands. His law commands rest and honour for parents, and forbids murder, adultery, stealing, false testimony and coveting. It reaches what people desire as well as what they do.

God calls for obedience from the heart.

The people promised to hear and obey what Moses brought from God. The LORD approved their words and desired a heart that feared Him always. Jesus obeyed His Father without the divided heart that God's law exposes in sinners.

Memorise

I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Deuteronomy 5:6

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what does God's law reveal about my need for Jesus?

The LORD recalls His rescue, “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Then His law exposes how far a sinner's heart is from wholehearted obedience. Israel feared dying if they heard God’s voice any longer.

Jesus is the mediator sinners need. He kept God's commands without sin, then suffered the curse His people deserved when He died for them. Raised from death, He lives to bring believers near to God. His obedience and final offering are all His people need for acceptance.

Turn from your sin and believe in Jesus. Your record of obedience cannot clear your guilt, but His mercy grants forgiveness to all who trust Him. He is the mediator who brings sinners near, and He gives His people the heart the law could only ask for.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus obeyed perfectly, and call each child to turn from sin and trust Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Pray that God would give them a new heart that delights in Christ.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His rescue and righteous commands, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one ask for a heart that listens if they want to.

But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by so much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as law.

Hebrews 8:6

Holy God, thank You for giving commands that show what love requires. We confess that our hearts and actions fall short. Please lead each of us to repent and trust the obedient Savior. Teach our family to honour You and love our neighbours this week. Amen.