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. If only they had such a heartThis phrase reflects God's deep desire for His people to possess a heart inclined towards Him. The Hebrew word for "heart" is "לֵב" (lev), which encompasses not just emotions but the entire inner being, including mind and will. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the heart was seen as the center of decision-making and moral character. God longs for His people to have a heart that is steadfast and committed to Him, indicating a relationship that is not merely external or ritualistic but deeply personal and transformative. to fear Me
The "fear" of the Lord, from the Hebrew "יִרְאָה" (yirah), is not about terror but reverence and awe. It is a recognition of God's holiness, power, and authority. In the conservative Christian perspective, this fear is foundational to wisdom and obedience. It is a fear that draws believers closer to God, acknowledging His rightful place as Lord and King. Historically, this reverence was central to Israel's identity as God's chosen people, setting them apart from surrounding nations. and keep all My commandments always
The call to "keep" (שָׁמַר, shamar) God's commandments implies diligent observance and guarding of His laws. This is not a temporary or selective obedience but a perpetual commitment. The commandments, or "מִצְוֹת" (mitzvot), are seen as divine instructions for living a life that reflects God's character and purposes. In the historical context of Deuteronomy, these commandments were given to guide Israel in their covenant relationship with God, ensuring their distinctiveness and blessing. so that it might be well with them
This phrase underscores the covenantal promise of well-being and prosperity tied to obedience. The Hebrew word "יָטַב" (yatab) conveys a sense of goodness, welfare, and benefit. God's laws are not burdensome but are designed for the flourishing of His people. In a conservative Christian view, this reflects the principle that true blessing and fulfillment come from living in alignment with God's will. and with their children forever
The inclusion of "their children" highlights the generational impact of faithfulness. The Hebrew concept of "דּוֹר" (dor), meaning generation, emphasizes the continuity of God's promises and the importance of passing down faith and obedience. This reflects the biblical principle that the choices of one generation affect the next. In the conservative Christian tradition, this underscores the responsibility of parents to teach and model godliness, ensuring that the legacy of faith endures. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe leader of the Israelites who is delivering God's commandments to the people. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving the law and commandments through Moses. 3. Mount SinaiThe place where God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. 4. GodThe speaker of the verse, expressing His desire for the Israelites' obedience and reverence. 5. The CovenantThe agreement between God and the Israelites, which includes the commandments and laws. Teaching Points The Heart's InclinationGod desires not just outward obedience but a heart that is genuinely inclined to fear and love Him. This involves a transformation that starts from within. The Fear of the LordThis is not about being afraid but having a deep respect and reverence for God, recognizing His authority and holiness. Generational BlessingObedience to God's commandments brings blessings not only to the individual but also to their descendants, highlighting the impact of faithfulness across generations. Consistency in ObedienceThe call to keep God's commandments "always" suggests a lifestyle of continuous faithfulness, not just occasional adherence. The Role of the LawThe commandments serve as a guide for living a life that is pleasing to God, reflecting His character and will. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the concept of fearing the Lord in Deuteronomy 5:29 compare to other biblical references to the fear of the Lord? 2. In what ways can we ensure that our hearts are inclined to obey God consistently in our daily lives? 3. How does the promise of well-being for obedience in Deuteronomy 5:29 relate to the New Testament teachings on blessings and obedience? 4. What practical steps can we take to pass on a legacy of faith and obedience to future generations? 5. How does understanding the original Hebrew word for "heart" (levav) deepen our comprehension of what God desires from His people? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 6:5This verse emphasizes the command to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength, which aligns with the call for a heart inclined to fear God. Proverbs 1:7Highlights the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge, connecting to the importance of fearing God as mentioned in Deuteronomy 5:29. Jeremiah 31:33Speaks of God writing His law on the hearts of His people, reflecting the desire for internalized obedience. Matthew 22:37-40Jesus summarizes the law as loving God and neighbor, which is the essence of keeping God's commandments. Ephesians 6:1-3Discusses the promise of well-being and long life for those who honor their parents, echoing the promise of well-being for obedience in Deuteronomy 5:29. People MosesPlaces Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, HorebTopics Age, Alway, Always, Commandments, Commands, Continually, Fear, Forever, Heart, Hearts, Inclined, Mind, O, Oh, Orders, Sons, ThusDictionary of Bible Themes Deuteronomy 5:29 6185 imagination, desires
8454 obedience, to God Deuteronomy 5:28-29 5923 public opinion Library Prayer and Obedience
"An obedience discovered itself in Fletcher of Madeley, which I wish I could describe or imitate. It produced in him a ready mind to embrace every cross with alacrity and pleasure. He had a singular love for the lambs of the flock, and applied himself with the greatest diligence to their instruction, for which he had a peculiar gift. . . . All his intercourse with me was so mingled with prayer and praise, that every employment, and every meal was, as it were, perfumed therewith." -- JOHN WESLEY. …
Edward M. Bounds—The Necessity of PrayerThe Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist …
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible Questions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 "They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. "
Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
Now the sanctifying of the Sabbath consists in two things--First, In resting from all servile and common business pertaining to our natural life; Secondly, In consecrating that rest wholly to the service of God, and the use of those holy means which belong to our spiritual life. For the First. 1. The servile and common works from which we are to cease are, generally, all civil works, from the least to the greatest (Exod. xxxi. 12, 13, 15, &c.) More particularly-- First, From all the works of our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Everlasting Covenant of the Spirit
"They shall be My people, and l will be their God. And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to do them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they shall not depart from Me."--JER. xxxii. 38, 40. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants Jesus Fails to Attend the Third Passover.
Scribes Reproach Him for Disregarding Tradition. (Galilee, Probably Capernaum, Spring a.d. 29.) ^A Matt. XV. 1-20; ^B Mark VII. 1-23; ^D John VII. 1. ^d 1 And after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Judæa, because the Jews sought to kill him. [John told us in his last chapter that the passover was near at hand. He here makes a general statement which shows that Jesus did not attend this passover. The reason for his absence is given at John v. 18.] ^a 1 Then there …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
The New Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the revealed God--the Son or Logos--who is connected with the former by oneness of nature, and who from everlasting, and even at the creation itself, filled up the immeasurable distance between the Creator and the creation;--who has been the Mediator in all God's relations to the world;--who at all times, and even before He became man in Christ, has been the light of [Pg 116] the world,--and to whom, specially, was committed the direction …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament Mount Zion.
"For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.--Ex. 20:1-17. Parallel Readings. Hist. Bible I, 194-198. Prin. of Politics, Chap. II. Lowell, Essay on "Democracy." Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image. Thou shalt not take the name of Jehovah thy God in vain. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Honor thy father and thy mother. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou …
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf. …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Deuteronomy 5:29 NIVDeuteronomy 5:29 NLTDeuteronomy 5:29 ESVDeuteronomy 5:29 NASBDeuteronomy 5:29 KJV
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