Deuteronomy 5:22-33

Why is hearing the commandments followed by a request for Moses to mediate?

Berean Standard Bible

22 The LORD spoke these commandments in a loud voice to your whole assembly out of the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness on the mountain; He added nothing more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me. 23 And when you heard the voice out of the darkness while the mountain was blazing with fire, all the heads of your tribes and your elders approached me, 24 and you said, “Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the fire. Today we have seen that a man can live even if God speaks with him. 25 But now, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us, and we will die, if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any longer. 26 For who of all flesh has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the fire, as we have, and survived? 27 Go near and listen to all that the LORD our God says. Then you can tell us everything the LORD our God tells you; we will listen and obey.” 28 And the LORD heard the words you spoke to me, and He said to me, “I have heard the words that these people have spoken to you. They have done well in all that they have spoken. 29 If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever. 30 Go and tell them: ‘Return to your tents.’ 31 But you stand here with Me, that I may speak to you all the commandments and statutes and ordinances you are to teach them to follow in the land that I am giving them to possess.” 32 So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left. 33 You must walk in all the ways that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

What is the context?

After the Lord speaks the commandments and writes them on stone tablets, the leaders tell Moses that the people fear hearing the voice further. They ask him to draw near, hear the Lord, and convey the instructions to them, promising to listen and obey.

The Lord approves their words but expresses the desire that their hearts would continue to fear Him and keep His commands. Moses is to remain and receive further instruction while the people return to their tents. Agreeing to hear is good; the lasting test is walking in the ways the Lord commands.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley understands the statement that God added nothing more as the end of this direct public proclamation, not a claim that no further commands were given through Moses. He emphasizes God’s desire for the people’s faithful response. The text itself contrasts their good words with the need for an enduring obedient heart.

Where does this fit in God's plan?

Hebrews 12:18–29 explicitly recalls the terrifying mountain and the hearers’ request that no further word be spoken. It then directs Christians to Jesus, mediator of the new covenant, and calls them to listen with gratitude and reverence. Moses’ mediation belongs to the earlier setting that Hebrews compares with access through Jesus.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

The Gospel According to Jesus

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