How does Deuteronomy 5:28 emphasize God's approval of Israel's spoken commitment? The Moment God Heard Deuteronomy 5:28: “The LORD heard you when you spoke to me, and He said to me, ‘I have heard the words that this people spoke to you. They have spoken well in all that they have said.’” Divine Recognition of Spoken Faith • “The LORD heard” – God is personally attentive to the people’s words, validating that their response did not vanish into the air; it reached His throne (Psalm 34:15). • “I have heard” – A double affirmation; God repeats that He heard, underscoring certainty and emphasizing His engagement. • “They have spoken well” – The Hebrew carries the idea of “rightly, fittingly.” God publicly affirms the correctness of their verbal vow to obey (cf. Exodus 19:8). • “In all that they have said” – Nothing in their confession was deficient. Their fear, reverence, and promised obedience met the divine standard at that moment. Why God’s Approval Matters • Confirms covenant seriousness – Their spoken words become part of the binding covenant (Deuteronomy 26:17-18). • Highlights the power of speech – Words shape relationship with God; vows count (Numbers 30:2; Matthew 12:37). • Shows God’s delight in reverent obedience – Verse 28 precedes God’s yearning in verse 29: “Oh, that they had such a heart…” Approval of words invites a matching heart (Isaiah 29:13). • Validates Moses’ mediating role – God speaks to Moses about the people, endorsing the representative arrangement they requested (Deuteronomy 5:27; 1 Timothy 2:5 foreshadows the greater Mediator). Supporting Scriptural Echoes • Exodus 20:19-20 – Israel’s request for Moses to mediate is mirrored and again received favorably. • Joshua 24:24 – The people say, “We will serve the LORD,” and Joshua seals the covenant, showing continuity of God-approved commitments. • James 5:12 – “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes,” affirming that God still values truthful, accountable speech. Verbal Commitment Carries Covenant Weight 1. God hears. 2. God evaluates. 3. God approves when words align with His will. 4. God expects the heart and actions to follow the words (Deuteronomy 5:29; 1 Samuel 15:22). Living It Out Today • Speak vows with reverence, remembering God listens. • Align heart and behavior with declared obedience. • Trust that God delights in sincere commitments and empowers fulfillment (Philippians 2:13). |
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