Deuteronomy 5:29

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 5:23-33

Here, I. Moses reminds them of the agreement of both the parties that were now treating, in the mediation of Moses. 1. Here is the consternation that the people were put into by that extreme terror with which the law was given. They owned that they could not bear it any more: ?This great fire will consume us; this dreadful voice will be fatal to us; we shall certainly die if we hear it any more,? Deut. 5:25. They wondered that they were not already struck dead with it, and took it for an... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 5:29

O that there were such an heart in them ,.... Not that there is properly speaking such volitions and wishes in God; but, as Aben Ezra observes, the Scripture speaks after the language of the children of men; and may be considered as upbraiding them with want of such an heart, and with weakness to do what they had promised; and, at most, as approving of those things they spoke of as grateful to him, and profitable to them: the words may be rendered, "who will give F12 מי יתן "quis... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 5:29

O that there were such a heart in them - Or rather, זה לבבם והיה יתן מי mi yitten vehayah lebabam zeh , Who will give such a heart to them, that they may fear, etc. They refuse to receive such a heart from me; who then can supply it? If they had not been such perfectly free agents as could either use or abuse their liberty, could God have made the complaint or expressed the earnest desire we find in this verse? He made the human will free; and in spite of all the influence of sin and... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 5:29

Verse 29 29.O that there were such an heart in them. God signifies that they would not be so firm and faithful in keeping their promises, as they were ready and willing to make them; and thus that hypocrisy was not altogether banished, or purged from their minds. Moreover, He figuratively (improprie) assumes a human feeling, because it would be vain and absurd for Him to desire what it was in His power to confer. Certainly He has the power of bending and directing men’s hearts whithersoever He... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 5:1-33

Reminiscences of Horeb. I. THE COVENANT . ( Deuteronomy 5:2 , Deuteronomy 5:3 .) 1. Proposed by God ( Exodus 19:3-7 ). 2. Accepted by the people ( Exodus 24:7 ). 3. Entailed obligations on subsequent generations (cf. Deuteronomy 6:2 ). In this covenant, formally ratified by sacrifice ( Exodus 24:6 , Exodus 24:7 ), Israel The new covenant in Christ, while in many respects different from, and superior to, that of Horeb, yet resembles it in several of these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 5:21-33

Character determines environment. I. THE STORMY ELEMENTS OF NATURE SERVE AT TIMES AS THE FITTING ROBES OF DEITY . All natural objects are the projections in space of his creative voice. He spake and they appeared. H e is still behind all phenomena—the only real substance. Since he is all-wise, the sole fount of knowledge, the true Revealer of secrets, he is properly said to be appareled with light . The rainbow is his diadem, the morning sun is his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 5:22-33

The Law as a whole, and its effect upon the people. In the account of the reception of the Law which we have in the Book of the Exodus, it would seem probable that we have a record which was penned at or near the time of the occurrence. The one before us is declared to be some thirty-nine years after. Moses was then verging towards the end of his career. He indulges in a retrospect of the eventful scenes, and rehearses them in the ears of the people. As we have seen in the first Homily, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 5:22-33

How Moses became mediator. The Ten Commandments were a direct communication from God to Israel. But it was too much for their sinful, terrified souls to stand, and so Moses is entreated to stand between God and them, and be the medium of communication between them. The Lord approved of the arrangement, and installed Moses into the office (cf. Exodus 20:18-21 ). This suggests— I. THE CRY FOR A MEDIATOR AROSE OUT OF THE FEARS OF MEN . The surpassing glory of God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 5:28-29

The words of God in reply to those of the people are not given in Exodus; here they are fittingly inserted God approved of their words because they expressed a proper reverence and m due sense on their part of the unworthiness of sinful men to come into the presence of the great and holy God; but knowing their fickleness, and proneness to forget and depart from him, he added, Oh that there were such an heart in them that they would fear me and keep all my commandments always! God looks upon... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 5:28-29

God's desires for man's good. A gleam, from amidst the terrors, of the Divine loving-kindness and tenderness. I. GOD WELCOMES IN MAN THE FAINTEST TRACES OF A DISPOSITION TO RETURN TO HIM . ( Deuteronomy 5:27 .) This trait in the Divine character is scarcely recognized by us as it should be. We are apt to take for granted that till conversion is absolutely complete—till it is in every respect sincere and thorough, it can obtain no favor in the eyes of Heaven.... read more

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