Day 66: Restating of the Ten Commandments

Moses’ farewell speech continues, and he reasserts the core of God’s teaching: the Ten Commandments.

God’s warning and promise of mercy

Deuteronomy 4:25-40

The covenant in Horeb

Deuteronomy 5: 1-5

The ten Commandments repeated

Deuteronomy 5:6-22

The people’s request

Deuteronomy 5:23-33

Obedience taught

Deuteronomy 6:1-19

Instruction of children

Deuteronomy 6:20-25

Caution against association with idolaters

Deuteronomy 7:1-11

Four of the ten commandments are associated with the exclusive relationship God wants with his people. They are to worship no other gods but him, they are not to make idols, they are not to misuse God’s name, and they are to keep the Sabbath holy. This will make them distinctive and different. The other six are to do with conduct, honouring parents, not killing or stealing or committing adultery or lying or coveting.

In chapter 7 Moses asks the question: Why did God choose us? We weren’t anything special. The answer is simply because he loved them. In the midst of fierce commands to utterly destroy the people the people they are displacing, there is this bald statement of love. It doesn’t fit. I would expect something else, something like: "I chose you even though you were nothing to demonstrate my strength. I can build a multitude out of an old childless man. I can build conquering nation out of a bunch of slaves."  But no. God did it because of his love.