The People Afraid of God’s Presence

Deuteronomy 5:22–33
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Moses rehearses for this younger generation going into the Promised Land the tremendous experience of receiving the law directly from God (vv. 22-26). The children of Israel promised to keep the Law, but they did not do it (v. 27). These people were under favorable conditions, living in the land promised to them but they were unable to keep the Law. That should be a lesson to us. Just as they were unable to keep it, so you and I are unable to keep it.

The Law is like a mirror. We are to look in it, and it will reveal to us that we are sinners. The mirror in our bathroom will show the smudge spot on our face, but it won’t wash off the spot. We must come to the basin and wash it away. The Law in the mirror tells us to start washing. It tells us to come to Christ. It is the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, that will wash us and keep on cleansing us from all sin. 

Many today have lost the biblical concept of the majesty and authority of God as expressed in His Law. In his appeal to Israel, Moses urged the people to remember the majesty of God and respect the Word of God (vv. 28-29). Obedience is always a matter of the heart, and if we love the Lord, we will keep His commandments (Jn. 14:15). The heart attitude of people is evidenced by their obedience or by their disobedience (vv. 30-33). A.W. Tozer was right when he said that “no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God.”

Application

God is not interested in forced religious exercises and rule keeping. He wants me to have a heart and life that is completely dedicated to Him. If I truly love Him, I will obey Him.