The key word for Deuteronomy 5 is “Listen.” Moses recounts the giving of the 10 Commandments and what they said. He also remembers the people’s reaction to the voice of God. As you read today, pay attention to the commandments and their reaction.
Please read Deuteronomy chapter 5: 1-21.
In verse 6, how does God introduce Himself? What do His actions reveal about Him?
Verses 7-21 list the 10 Commandments. Write a brief list so you can remember them.
The 10 Commandments are hard to follow. And just when the Jewish people thought they had it under control, Jesus made it even more difficult. In his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus reveals it isn’t the action that makes one guilty, it is the heart. About the 6th law, not murdering, Jesus said, “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty . . .” (Matthew 5:22). About adultery, the 7th law, Jesus says that anyone who looks with lust as already committed adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). It is your heart that makes you guilty before the Lord, not your actions. Ouch! If it is about the heart, we cannot win. Our hearts are full of desire – desire that leads us astray. So, if we cannot follow the Law, then why did God give us something we couldn’t do?
Read Romans 3:20.
What is the purpose of God’s Law?
God didn’t give the Law so that we could follow it. He gave the Law to show us we couldn’t, to make us look to Him for help. God’s Law points us to the need for a savior. It points us to Christ.
Read the Romans Road to Salvation. Read each verse in order: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9-10, Romans 10:13.
We cannot perfectly observe the Law and secure our own salvation. God knew we couldn’t, so He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to secure it for us. Praise God! He did it to show us His glory! He did it for us! If you have not ever accepted this free gift, let me just say that it is the most important thing you will ever do in life. No other decision is this important. Nothing. Ever. Is. More. Important. Don’t delay! Pray. Admit the things that are on your heart, for surely there are things swirling in your mind right now. Confess them to the Lord. Ask for forgiveness. Tell Him you want this life He offers. He isn’t hard to find. Remember: You will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart.
My prayer is that you took the time to do that.
Read Deuteronomy 5:22-33.
Can you imagine! The people stood at the foot of the mountain and heard God speak. Fire and thunder and clouds. I wonder what it sounded like. I wonder if I would have been just as scared as they were. What about you?
It reminds me of the prophet Isaiah’s encounter with the living God. (You can read it for yourself here.) In Isaiah 6, Isaiah is brought before the LORD’S throne in a vision. He sees the Almighty God, his robe filling the temple, the Seraphim calling out, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD of hosts, the whole world is full of His glory” (v. 3). Smoke rose and the foundations shook at the LORD’S voice. Isaiah immediately goes face down. Bam! I don’t think he had a choice. I think it was an immediate natural reaction. When the Creator of the universe speaks, you move. Isaiah’s first thought is his mouth. I don’t know what he had been saying, but it must have been sinful. I find it interesting that in the presence of the LORD, Isaiah’s sin is the first thing on his mind. He immediately confesses: “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (v. 5).
There he is, face down, confessing his sin to the face of God. And what happens? The LORD sends a burning coal from His altar to touch Isaiah’s lips and cleans him. “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.” God declares (v. 7). Isaiah does nothing to earn forgiveness. All he does is confess. It is the same with us. The LORD provides our forgiveness through Jesus. All we need to do is confess.
Like Isaiah, has God ever made you completely aware of a specific sin? If so, what was your reaction?
What do you imagine it will be like to stand in front of the living God?
What will you tell Him when you see Him?
God is powerful, for sure, but He is also loving. God’s sweet voice is clear to me in verse 29. Listen and hear His longing for you: “Oh, that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!” Did you hear His love? Powerful and loving. That is God.
God loves you. He wants you with Him. He wants it to go well with you
He longs to be your God and He longs for you to be His. It has been His plan all along, and He has made the way possible through Jesus. Won’t you bow before Him and let His sweet voice fill you up?
Lesson to remember: Salvation comes from the LORD
A Way to Walk: Confess your sin. Seek the LORD. Thank Him for salvation.
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