What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 5:19? You - The command is addressed personally. The word “You” places responsibility squarely on each individual, just as the broader covenant addresses every Israelite (Deuteronomy 5:1). - God’s law speaks directly to the conscience: we cannot hide behind family, culture, or economic pressure (Romans 2:15). - It also presumes moral accountability; the same “you” will answer to the Lord on the last day (2 Corinthians 5:10). - By singling out the hearer, the Lord reinforces that obedience flows from love for Him and love for neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). shall not - These words are a clear, non-negotiable prohibition. They echo the identical mandate in Exodus 20:15, showing continuity in God’s moral law. - “Shall not” frames the command as timeless, not merely cultural or situational (Psalm 119:89). - It carries divine authority; breaking it is sin against God first (Genesis 39:9) and only secondarily against people. - The negative form (“shall not”) protects positive goods: honesty, trust, and freedom in community life (Romans 13:9-10). steal - More than burglary, the term covers taking anything that rightly belongs to another: • Property (Joshua 7:11) • Money or wages (James 5:4) • Time and productivity through laziness or deceit (Proverbs 18:9) • Dignity and reputation through slander (Proverbs 22:1) • Honor due to God—keeping back tithes was called “robbing” Him (Malachi 3:8) - Stealing breaks trust and fractures community. It treats neighbors as objects to exploit rather than image-bearers to serve (Genesis 1:27; Philippians 2:3-4). - Scripture prescribes restitution, underscoring that repentance is active (Exodus 22:1-4; Luke 19:8-9). - The gospel transforms thieves into givers: “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must labor, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need” (Ephesians 4:28). summary Deuteronomy 5:19, “You shall not steal”, is God’s personal, authoritative call for every believer to honor others’ property, time, and dignity. It secures the trust that healthy communities need, reflects God’s own truthful character, and directs us from selfish taking to generous giving. |
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