The following commentary covers Chapters 5, 6, and 7.
The
ten commandments and the great principles of God's
government in the land
In chapter 5 Moses reminds
them of the ten commandments given in Horeb; and it is to
be remarked, that the deliverance out of Egypt (not the
rest of God after the work of creation) is the reason he
gives for the sabbath: it became a sign of His covenant
with Israel (compare Ezek. 20). These were the basis of a
regular covenant; and God here, as we have seen, governs
the people in the land of promise according to their
responsibility, as a jealous God. Mercy, beyond law, only
comes in in chapter 30. There had been mercy (chap. 10)
in giving them back the law, and placing them under
sparing mercy Still. These chapters give us the great
principles of God’s government in the land; chapters
12-29 the terms of it.
Reverent fear of
God and His Word, with heartfelt love and remembrance of
His deliverance
He reminds them of their
fear in the presence of the Lord engages them, in chapter
6, to love God with all their heart, and exhorts them to
remember His words in every way, and to keep them, when
they should enjoy the land, having nothing to do with
other gods.
When they should have cast
out their enemies, as Jehovah had spoken, and when their
children should ask the meaning of the ordinances, they
were to tell them of the deliverances and of the signs
wrought in Egypt.
God's sovereign
grace; faithful obedience the channel of blessing
They were to destroy every
vestige of false gods, being a people holy to Jehovah.
Nor did God set His love upon them on account of their
own importance, but because of the election and love of
God. He assures them that their faithfulness would also
be the channel of blessing, for God would recompense them
according to their ways. Neither ought they to fear,
after all the signs they had seen. Thus they were a
people separate to Jehovah. As to Him all was sovereign
grace, but sure faithfulness. As to them the ground they
were on was the government of God; hence all then
depended on their holding fast to Jehovah, and faithful
obedience.
Deuteronomy 5 Bible Commentary
John Darby’s Synopsis
The ten commandments and the great principles of God's government in the land
In chapter 5 Moses reminds them of the ten commandments given in Horeb; and it is to be remarked, that the deliverance out of Egypt (not the rest of God after the work of creation) is the reason he gives for the sabbath: it became a sign of His covenant with Israel (compare Ezek. 20). These were the basis of a regular covenant; and God here, as we have seen, governs the people in the land of promise according to their responsibility, as a jealous God. Mercy, beyond law, only comes in in chapter 30. There had been mercy (chap. 10) in giving them back the law, and placing them under sparing mercy Still. These chapters give us the great principles of God’s government in the land; chapters 12-29 the terms of it.
Reverent fear of God and His Word, with heartfelt love and remembrance of His deliverance
He reminds them of their fear in the presence of the Lord engages them, in chapter 6, to love God with all their heart, and exhorts them to remember His words in every way, and to keep them, when they should enjoy the land, having nothing to do with other gods.
When they should have cast out their enemies, as Jehovah had spoken, and when their children should ask the meaning of the ordinances, they were to tell them of the deliverances and of the signs wrought in Egypt.
God's sovereign grace; faithful obedience the channel of blessing
They were to destroy every vestige of false gods, being a people holy to Jehovah. Nor did God set His love upon them on account of their own importance, but because of the election and love of God. He assures them that their faithfulness would also be the channel of blessing, for God would recompense them according to their ways. Neither ought they to fear, after all the signs they had seen. Thus they were a people separate to Jehovah. As to Him all was sovereign grace, but sure faithfulness. As to them the ground they were on was the government of God; hence all then depended on their holding fast to Jehovah, and faithful obedience.