February 15, 2024 - Deuteronomy 5-8

Moses rehearses the Ten Commandments for the people.  In short paraphrase, they are . . .

1.  No other gods before Me

2.  No idols

3.  Do not take the name of God in vain

4.  Keep the Sabbath

5.  Honor father and mother

6.  Do not murder

7.  Do not commit adultery

8.  Do not steal

9.  Do not bear false witness against a neighbor

10.  Do not covet

Now, Moses began his address in this way:  “The Lord our God made a covenant with us in Horeb.  Not with our fathers did the Lord make this covenant, but with us, who are all of us here alive today” (5:2-3).  Moses appears to be emphasizing the responsibility of the current generation to obey the Lord.  They could not make the excuse, when they disobeyed, that God had made the covenant with others; the Lord had spoken directly to THAT generation.  Of course, with this new generation, things started out well but the Lord, early on, shows concern:  “And the Lord said to Moses concerning the people, ‘Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear me and to keep all my commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!’” (5:29)

Remember, take care, and keep . . . Moses continually tells the people to remember all that God has done for them – “And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you . . .” (8:2) – and calls them to obedience to his commands – “Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments” (8:11).  Remember, take care, and keep.  That's a good thought for today as we trod this earthly path.

Thus far my God has led me on,

And made his truth and mercy known;

My hopes and fears alternate rise,

And comforts mingle with my sighs.

Through this wide wilderness I roam,

Far distant from my blissful home;

Lord, let thy presence be my stay,

And guard me in this dangerous way.   -- John Fawcett (1789)