February 22, 2026 - Deuteronomy 5-6

Moses begins his second address to the Israelites.  He starts by reminding them of the 10 Commandments.   Moses also reminds the people about how scared they were when the Lord came down and spoke out of the midst of the fire.  They had responded:  “For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, and has still lived?” (5:26)  Of course, this is the wonder of it all, i.e., that our God actually HAS come and dwelt with us and HAS made himself known to us and HAS spoken to us!   And, not only have we not perished, but we have lived and rejoiced!

What is Israel about to experience?  They will possess great and good cities that they did not build.  Houses full of all good things that they did not fill.  Cisterns that they did not dig.  Vineyards and olive tree that they did not plant.  They must not forget that they have all this, not by their own efforts, but because the Lord has given them these things.  (6:10-12)  The apostle Paul asked:  “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Cor. 4:7)  Like Israel, we have all good things because of God's great mercy and grace.

My God, how wonderful Thou art,

Thy majesty how bright,

How beautiful Thy mercy seat,

in depths of burning light!

How wonderful, how beautiful,

the sight of Thee must be,

Thine endless wisdom, boundless pow’r,

and awful purity.

No earthly father loves like Thee,

no mother e’er so mild,

bears and forbears, as Thou hast done

with me, Thy sinful child.   -- Frederick William Faber (1848)